Mesothelin domain-specific monoclonal antibodies and use thereof

ABSTRACT

Described herein is the use of rabbit hybridoma technology, along with a panel of truncated mesothelin domain fragments, to identify anti-mesothelin mAbs that bind specific regions of mesothelin. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the rabbit mAbs bind an epitope that is not part of Region I. In particular, the identified mAbs (YP187, YP223, YP218 and YP3) bind either Region II (391-486), Region III (487-581) or a native conformation of mesothelin with subnanomolar affinity. These antibodies do not compete for binding with the mesothelin-specific immunotoxin SS1P or mesothelin-specific antibody MORAb-009. In another aspect, disclosed is a high-affinity rabbit mAb that binds Region I of mesothelin (YP158). YP158 binds native mesothelin protein in cancer cells and tissues with high affinity and specificity.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/421,599,filed Feb. 13, 2015, which is the U.S. National Stage of InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2013/055273, filed Aug. 16, 2013, published inEnglish under PCT Article 21(2), which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/691,719, filed Aug. 21, 2012. Theabove-referenced applications are herein incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure concerns monoclonal antibodies specific for mesothelin,particularly monoclonal antibodies raised against fragments ofmesothelin, and their use for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

BACKGROUND

Human mesothelin is a 40 kDa cell-surface glycosylphosphatidylinositol(GPI)-linked glycoprotein. The protein is synthesized as a 70 kDprecursor which is then proteolytically processed. The 30 kD aminoterminus of mesothelin is secreted and is referred to as megakaryocytepotentiating factor (Yamaguchi et al., J. Biol. Chem. 269:805 808,1994). The 40 kD carboxyl terminus remains bound to the membrane asmature mesothelin (Chang et al., Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:136 140, 1996).

Mesothelin is present at relatively low levels in mesothelial cells ofthe pleura, peritoneum and pericardium of healthy individuals, but ishighly expressed in a number of different cancers, includingmesotheliomas, stomach cancer, squamous cell carcinomas, prostatecancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, breastcancer and ovarian cancer (Hassan et al., Clin. Cancer Res.10:3937-3942, 2004; McGuire et al., N. Engl. J. Med. 334:1-6, 1996;Argani et aL, Clin. Cancer Res. 7:3862-3868, 2001; Hassan et al., Appl.Immunohistochem. Mol. Morphol. 13:243-247, 2005; Li et al., Mol. CancerTher. 7:286-296, 2008; Yu et al., J Cancer 1:141-1749, 2010; Tchou etal., Breast Cancer Res Treat 133(2):799-804, 2012; U.S. Pat. No.7,081,518). In particular, it has been reported that a majority ofserous carcinomas of the ovary and adenocarcinomas of the pancreasexpress high levels of mesothelin (Yen et al., Clin. Cancer Res.12:827-831, 2006). In addition, high levels of mesothelin have beendetected in greater than 55% of lung cancers and greater than 70% ofovarian cancers (Hassan et al., Appl. Immunohistochem. Mol. Morphol.13:243-247, 2005; Ho et al., Clin. Cancer Res. 13(5):1571-1575, 2007).The limited expression of mesothelin on normal cells makes it a viabletarget for tumor immunotherapy.

Mesothelin can also be used as a marker for diagnosis and prognosis ofcertain types of cancer because trace amounts of mesothelin can bedetected in the blood of some patients with mesothelin-positive cancers(Cristaudo et al., Clin. Cancer Res. 13:5076-5081, 2007). It has beenreported that mesothelin may be released into serum through deletion atits carboxyl terminus or by proteolytic cleavage from its membrane boundform (Hassan et al., Clin. Cancer Res. 10:3937-3942, 2004). An increasein the soluble form of mesothelin was detectable several years beforemalignant mesotheliomas occurred among workers exposed to asbestos(Creaney and Robinson, Hematol. Oncol. Clin. North Am. 19:1025-1040,2005). Furthermore, patients with ovarian, pancreatic, and lung cancersalso have elevated soluble mesothelin in serum (Cristaudo et al., Clin.Cancer Res. 13:5076-5081, 2007; Hassan et al., Clin. Cancer Res.12:447-453, 2006; Croso et al., Cancer Detect. Prev. 30:180-187, 2006).

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a panel of monoclonal antibodies that bind with highaffinity to full-length mesothelin and/or mesothelin fragments. Theantibodies provided herein include immunoglobulin molecules, such as IgGantibodies, as well as antibody fragments. Further provided arecompositions including the antibodies that bind, for examplespecifically bind, to mesothelin, nucleic acid molecules encoding theseantibodies, expression vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules,and isolated host cells that express the nucleic acid molecules. Alsoprovided are immunoconjugates comprising the antibodies disclosed hereinand an effector molecule, such as a toxin.

The antibodies and compositions provided herein can be used for avariety of purposes, such as for confirming the diagnosis of a cancerthat expresses mesothelin, for example mesothelioma, prostate cancer,lung cancer, stomach cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer,cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer or ovarian cancer. Thus, providedherein is a method of confirming the diagnosis of cancer in a subject bycontacting a sample from the subject diagnosed with cancer with amonoclonal antibody that binds mesothelin, and detecting binding of theantibody to the sample. An increase in binding of the antibody to thesample relative to binding of the antibody to a control sample confirmsthe cancer diagnosis. In some embodiments, the method further includescontacting a second antibody that specifically recognizes themesothelin-specific antibody with the sample, and detecting binding ofthe second antibody.

Similarly, provided herein is a method of detecting a cancer thatexpresses mesothelin in a subject. The method includes contacting asample from the subject with a monoclonal antibody described herein, anddetecting binding of the antibody to the sample. An increase in bindingof the antibody to the sample relative to a control sample detectscancer in the subject. In some embodiments, the methods further comprisecontacting a second antibody that specifically recognizes themesothelin-specific antibody with the sample, and detecting binding ofthe second antibody.

Further provided is a method of treating a subject with cancer, forexample mesothelioma, prostate cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer,squamous cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, breastcancer or ovarian cancer, by selecting a subject with a cancer thatexpresses mesothelin and administering to the subject a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a monoclonal antibody specific for mesothelin, or animmunoconjugate comprising the antibody.

Also provided is a method for inhibiting tumor growth or metastasis in asubject by selecting a subject with a cancer that expresses mesothelinand administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount ofan antibody, immunoconjugate or composition disclosed herein.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic of the structure of mesothelin. Currentanti-mesothelin therapeutic antibodies and immunotoxins (including SS1Pand MORAb-009) recognize epitopes within the highly immunogenicN-terminal Region I of cell surface mesothelin, which also binds mucinMUC16/CA125.

FIGS. 2A-2D are graphs showing characterization of domain-specificrabbit monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) by ELISA. ELISA plates were coatedwith 5 μg/mL of full-length mesothelin (Full), Region I (residues296-390), Region II (residues 391-486) and Region III (residues 487-598)fragments. Rabbit hybridoma supernatants of Region I mAb clones (FIG.2A), Region II mAb clones (FIG. 2B), Region III mAb clones (FIG. 2C) andconformation-sensitive mAb clones (FIG. 2D) were added into the ELISAplates and rabbit mAb binding to mesothelin or its fragments wasdetected by a goat anti-rabbit IgG light chain-specific HRP conjugate.

FIGS. 3A-3D are flow cytometry plots showing binding of rabbit mAbs tothe NCI-H226 (mesothelioma) cell line. NCI-H226 cells (1×10⁶) wereincubated with rabbit hybridoma supernatant (1:2 dilutions in FACSbuffer) of Region I binders (FIG. 3A), confirmation-sensitive binders(FIG. 3B), Region III binders (FIG. 3C) and Region II binders (FIG. 3D).The binding of rabbit mAbs to cell surface mesothelin was detected by agoat anti-rabbit IgG PE conjugate.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing results of a sandwich ELISA evaluating bindingof YP187, YP223, YP218 and YP3 at various dilutions to mesothelinfragments in the presence of the SS1P immunotoxin. ELISA plates werecoated with the SS1P immunotoxin (1 μg/ml). Recombinant mesothelinprotein (1 μg/ml) was added to the plates. After washing, rabbit mAbsupernatant (serially diluted 1:3) was added. Finally, goat anti-rabbitIgG light chain HRP conjugate (1:5000) was added to detect rabbit mAbbinding.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing results of a sandwich ELISA evaluating bindingof YP187, YP223, YP218 and YP3 (in the presence of SS1P immunotoxin) torecombinant mesothelin at various concentrations. The SS1P immunotoxin(5 μg/ml) was coated on ELISA plates. Recombinant mesothelin protein,starting from 10 μg/ml, was serially diluted 1:3 and added to the ELISAplates. After washing, rabbit mAb supernatant (1:5) was added. The goatanti-rabbit IgG light chain (1:5000) HRP conjugate was added to detectrabbit mAb binding.

FIGS. 6A-6C are graphs showing mesothelin binding affinity (K_(D))measurement by ELISA. Various amounts of a rabbit mAbs YP223 (FIG. 6A),YP218 (FIG. 6B) and YP3 (FIG. 6C) were incubated with a fixed amount ofmesothelin (1 μg/ml) at room temperature for 1 hour. The plates werethen washed and a standard ELISA procedure was carried out to measurerabbit mAb binding on mesothelin. The affinity K_(D) value wasdetermined by Prism (version 3.02) for Windows (GraphPad software, SanDiego, Calif.). K_(D) values were 0.65 nM, 0.91 nM and 0.42 nM forYP223, YP218 and YP3, respectively.

FIGS. 7A-7B are graphs showing detection of soluble mesothelin inculture supernatant by sandwich ELISA. ELISA plates were coated withSS1P (5 μg/ml). H9 (FIG. 7A) or K5 (FIG. 7B) culture supernatant(serially diluted 1:3) was added. After washing, rabbit mAb culturesupernatant (1:5) was added. Goat anti-rabbit light chain specific HRPconjugate (1:5000) was used to detect rabbit mAb binding.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are immunoblots showing binding of YP158 to mesothelinin cancer cells and tissues. (FIG. 8A) Immunoblot analysis of mesothelinproteins in human liver cancer cell lines. Forty μg of whole cell lysatewas loaded for each sample except A431 and H9 (only 2 μg of totalprotein was loaded). (FIG. 8B) Immunoblot analysis of mesothelinproteins in cancer specimens. OVCAR3 (a human ovarian cancer cell line)and H9 (A431.MSLN+) were used as positive controls. A431 (MSLN−) wasused as a negative control. MSLN: mesothelin (˜40 kDa); Precursor: ˜70kDa.

FIG. 9 shows immunoprecipitation of endogenous mesothelin protein inA431/H9 (forced expression of mesothelin in epidermoid carcinoma A431cells), NCI-H226 (mesothelioma) and KMBC (cholangiocarcinoma) cellextracts. A human mAb (hAb) to mesothelin was used to pull downendogenous mesothelin protein in the cell lysate. YP158 was used toprobe native mesothelin in pulldown proteins. C: an irrelevant VHsingle-domain human Fc fusion; IP: immunoprecipitation; Input: westernblot on whole cell lysates before immunoprecipitation.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing detection of soluble mesothelin in thepresence of SS1P immunotoxin. This assay utilized YP223 (Region IIbinder) and YP218 (Region III binder) in a sandwich ELISA. Solublemesothelin was detected even in the presence of SS1P immunotoxin.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the binding affinity of anti-mesothelinimmunotoxins against mesothelin expressing cells. The binding ofimmunotoxins on these cell lines was measured by flow cytometry andindicated by fluorescence intensity. hYP218scFv-PE38 is humanizedYP218scFv-PE38. The binding affinity of humanized YP218 Fv for H9 cellsis similar to that of the original rabbit YP218 Fv (Kd=˜4 nM).

FIG. 12 is a series of graphs showing cytotoxicity of YP218scFv-PE38against four malignant mesothelioma patient primary cell lines. Out ofthe four primary cell lines (RH16, RH18, RH19 and RH21), three weresensitive to the anti-mesothelin immunotoxins. Of the three primarylines which were sensitive (RH16, RH19 and RH21), YP218scFv-PE38 was 2-to 5-fold more potent than SS1P.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing that the YP218scFv-PE38 immunotoxin was morepotent than SS1P in a human malignant mesothelioma model. Six-weekfemale BALB/c nu/nu mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with 3×10⁶NCI-H226 mesothelioma cells that stably express high levels of Luc/GFP.Mice were intraperitoneally administered with SS1P (0.4 mg/kg),YP218scFv-PE38 (0.4 mg/kg) or vehicle (PBS) at days 12, 14, 16 and 18.Tumor growth was measured by bioluminescence photometry three times aweek. Relative bioluminescence activity was normalized based on thecontrol (vehicle) group. The arrows indicate injections. N=5/group.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The nucleic and amino acid sequences listed in the accompanying sequencelisting are shown using standard letter abbreviations for nucleotidebases, and three letter code for amino acids, as defined in 37 C.F.R.1.822. Only one strand of each nucleic acid sequence is shown, but thecomplementary strand is understood as included by any reference to thedisplayed strand. The Sequence Listing is submitted as an ASCII textfile, created on Apr. 26, 2016, 78.7 KB, which is incorporated byreference herein. In the accompanying sequence listing:

SEQ ID NO: 1 is the amino acid sequence of Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE).

SEQ ID NO: 2 is the amino acid sequence of PE38.

SEQ ID NO: 3 is the amino acid sequence of PE-LR.

SEQ ID NO: 4 is the amino acid sequence of PE-LR/6X.

SEQ ID NO: 5 is the amino acid sequence of PE with reducedimmunogenicity.

SEQ ID NO: 6 is the amino acid sequence of PE-LR/8M.

SEQ ID NO: 7 is the amino acid sequence of human mesothelin.

SEQ ID NO: 8 is the nucleotide sequence of the YP223 VH domain.

SEQ ID NO: 9 is the amino acid sequence of the YP223 VH domain.

SEQ ID NO: 10 is the nucleotide sequence of the YP223 VL domain.

SEQ ID NO: 11 is the amino acid sequence of the YP223 VL domain.

SEQ ID NO: 12 is the nucleotide sequence of the YP218 VH domain.

SEQ ID NO: 13 is the amino acid sequence of the YP218 VH domain.

SEQ ID NO: 14 is the nucleotide sequence of the YP218 VL domain.

SEQ ID NO: 15 is the amino acid sequence of the YP218 VL domain.

SEQ ID NO: 16 is the nucleotide sequence of the YP3 VH domain.

SEQ ID NO: 17 is the amino acid sequence of the YP3 VH domain.

SEQ ID NO: 18 is the nucleotide sequence of the YP3 VL domain.

SEQ ID NO: 19 is the amino acid sequence of the YP3 VL domain.

SEQ ID NO: 20 is the nucleotide sequence of the YP187 clone 1 VH domain.

SEQ ID NO: 21 is the amino acid sequence of the YP187 clone 1 VH domain.

SEQ ID NO: 22 is the nucleotide sequence of the YP187 VL domain.

SEQ ID NO: 23 is the amino acid sequence of the YP187 VL domain.

SEQ ID NO: 24 is the nucleotide sequence of the YP158 VH domain.

SEQ ID NO: 25 is the amino acid sequence of the YP158 VH domain.

SEQ ID NO: 26 is the nucleotide sequence of the YP158 VL domain.

SEQ ID NO: 27 is the amino acid sequence of the YP158 VL domain.

SEQ ID NO: 28 is the nucleotide sequence of the YP187 clone 2 VH domain.

SEQ ID NO: 29 is the amino acid sequence of the YP187 clone 2 VH domain.

SEQ ID NO: 30 is the nucleotide sequence of the YP218scFv-PE38immunotoxin.

SEQ ID NO: 31 is the amino acid sequence of the YP218scFv-PE38immunotoxin.

SEQ ID NO: 32 is the nucleotide sequence of the humanized YP218scFv-PE38immunotoxin.

SEQ ID NO: 33 is the amino acid sequence of the humanized YP218scFv-PE38immunotoxin.

SEQ ID NO: 34 is the nucleotide sequence of the YP223scFv-PE38immunotoxin.

SEQ ID NO: 35 is the amino acid sequence of the YP223scFv-PE38immunotoxin.

SEQ ID NO: 36 is the nucleotide sequence of the YP3scFv-PE38immunotoxin.

SEQ ID NO: 37 is the amino acid sequence of the YP3scFv-PE38immunotoxin.

SEQ ID NO: 38 is the nucleotide sequence of the YP187scFv-PE38immunotoxin.

SEQ ID NO: 39 is the amino acid sequence of the YP187scFv-PE38immunotoxin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Abbreviations

CAR chimeric antigen receptor

CDR complementarity determining region

CTL cytotoxic T lymphocyte

ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

EM effector molecule

FACS fluorescence activated cell sorting

GPI glycosylphosphatidylinositol

HRP horseradish peroxidase

Ig immunoglobulin

Kd dissociation constant

mAb monoclonal antibody

PE Pseudomonas exotoxin

PE phycoerythrin

VH variable heavy

VL variable light

II. Terms and Methods

Unless otherwise noted, technical terms are used according toconventional usage. Definitions of common terms in molecular biology maybe found in Benjamin Lewin, Genes V, published by Oxford UniversityPress, 1994 (ISBN 0-19-854287-9); Kendrew et al. (eds.), TheEncyclopedia of Molecular Biology, published by Blackwell Science Ltd.,1994 (ISBN 0-632-02182-9); and Robert A. Meyers (ed.), Molecular Biologyand Biotechnology: a Comprehensive Desk Reference, published by VCHPublishers, Inc., 1995 (ISBN 1-56081-569-8).

In order to facilitate review of the various embodiments of thedisclosure, the following explanations of specific terms are provided:

Antibody: A polypeptide ligand comprising at least a light chain orheavy chain immunoglobulin variable region which recognizes and binds(such as specifically recognizes and specifically binds) an epitope ofan antigen, such as mesothelin, or a fragment thereof. Immunoglobulinmolecules are composed of a heavy and a light chain, each of which has avariable region, termed the variable heavy (V_(H)) region and thevariable light (V_(L)) region. Together, the V_(H) region and the V_(L)region are responsible for binding the antigen recognized by theantibody.

Antibodies include intact immunoglobulins and the variants and portionsof antibodies well known in the art, such as single-domain antibodies(e.g. VH domain antibodies), Fab fragments, Fab′ fragments, F(ab)′₂fragments, single chain Fv proteins (“scFv”), and disulfide stabilizedFv proteins (“dsFv”). A scFv protein is a fusion protein in which alight chain variable region of an immunoglobulin and a heavy chainvariable region of an immunoglobulin are bound by a linker, while indsFvs, the chains have been mutated to introduce a disulfide bond tostabilize the association of the chains. The term “antibody” alsoincludes genetically engineered forms such as chimeric antibodies (forexample, humanized murine antibodies) and heteroconjugate antibodies(such as bispecific antibodies). See also, Pierce Catalog and Handbook,1994-1995 (Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, Ill.); Kuby, J., Immunology,3′ Ed., W. H. Freeman & Co., New York, 1997.

Typically, a naturally occurring immunoglobulin has heavy (H) chains andlight (L) chains interconnected by disulfide bonds. There are two typesof light chain, lambda (λ) and kappa (κ). There are five main heavychain classes (or isotypes) which determine the functional activity ofan antibody molecule: IgM, IgD, IgG, IgA and IgE.

Each heavy and light chain contains a constant region and a variableregion, (the regions are also known as “domains”). In combination, theheavy and the light chain variable regions specifically bind theantigen. Light and heavy chain variable regions contain a “framework”region interrupted by three hypervariable regions, also called“complementarity-determining regions” or “CDRs.” The extent of theframework region and CDRs has been defined according to Kabat et al.(see, Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest,U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1991) and theImMunoGeneTics database (IMGT) (see, Lefranc, Nucleic Acids Res29:207-9, 2001). The Kabat database is maintained online. The sequencesof the framework regions of different light or heavy chains arerelatively conserved within a species, such as humans. The frameworkregion of an antibody, that is the combined framework regions of theconstituent light and heavy chains, serves to position and align theCDRs in three-dimensional space.

The CDRs are primarily responsible for binding to an epitope of anantigen. The CDRs of each chain are typically referred to as CDR1, CDR2,and CDR3, numbered sequentially starting from the N-terminus, and areoften identified by the chain in which the particular CDR is located.Thus, a V_(H) CDR3 (or H-CDR3) is located in the variable domain of theheavy chain of the antibody in which it is found, whereas a V_(L) CDR1(or L-CDR1) is the CDR1 from the variable domain of the light chain ofthe antibody in which it is found. An antibody that binds mesothelin,for example, will have a specific V_(H) region and the V_(L) regionsequence, and thus specific CDR sequences. Antibodies with differentspecificities (i.e. different combining sites for different antigens)have different CDRs. Although it is the CDRs that vary from antibody toantibody, only a limited number of amino acid positions within the CDRsare directly involved in antigen binding. These positions within theCDRs are called specificity determining residues (SDRs).

References to “V_(H)” or “VH” refer to the variable region of animmunoglobulin heavy chain, including that of an Fv, scFv, dsFv or Fab.References to “V_(L)” or “VL” refer to the variable region of animmunoglobulin light chain, including that of an Fv, scFv, dsFv or Fab.

A “monoclonal antibody” is an antibody produced by a single clone ofB-lymphocytes or by a cell into which the light and/or heavy chain genesof a single antibody have been transfected. Monoclonal antibodies areproduced by methods known to those of skill in the art, for instance bymaking hybrid antibody-forming cells from a fusion of myeloma cells withimmune spleen cells. Monoclonal antibodies include humanized monoclonalantibodies.

A “chimeric antibody” contains structural elements from two or moredifferent antibody molecules, often from different animal species. Forexample, a chimeric antibody can have framework residues from onespecies, such as human, and CDRs (which generally confer antigenbinding) from another species, such as a murine antibody thatspecifically binds mesothelin.

A “human” antibody (also called a “fully human” antibody) is an antibodythat includes human framework regions and all of the CDRs from a humanimmunoglobulin. In one example, the framework and the CDRs are from thesame originating human heavy and/or light chain amino acid sequence.However, frameworks from one human antibody can be engineered to includeCDRs from a different human antibody. A “humanized” immunoglobulin is animmunoglobulin including a human framework region and one or more CDRsfrom a non-human (for example a mouse, rabbit, rat, or synthetic)immunoglobulin. The non-human immunoglobulin providing the CDRs istermed a “donor,” and the human immunoglobulin providing the frameworkis termed an “acceptor.” In one embodiment, all the CDRs are from thedonor immunoglobulin in a humanized immunoglobulin. Constant regionsneed not be present, but if they are, they must be substantiallyidentical to human immunoglobulin constant regions, i.e., at least about85-90%, such as about 95% or more identical. Hence, all parts of ahumanized immunoglobulin, except possibly the CDRs, are substantiallyidentical to corresponding parts of natural human immunoglobulinsequences. A “humanized antibody” is an antibody comprising a humanizedlight chain and a humanized heavy chain immunoglobulin. A humanizedantibody binds to the same antigen as the donor antibody that providesthe CDRs. The acceptor framework of a humanized immunoglobulin orantibody may have a limited number of substitutions by amino acids takenfrom the donor framework. Humanized or other monoclonal antibodies canhave additional conservative amino acid substitutions which havesubstantially no effect on antigen binding or other immunoglobulinfunctions. Humanized immunoglobulins can be constructed by means ofgenetic engineering (see for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089).

Binding affinity: Affinity of an antibody for an antigen. In oneembodiment, affinity is calculated by a modification of the Scatchardmethod described by Frankel et al. (Mol. Immunol., 16:101-106, 1979). Inanother embodiment, binding affinity is measured by an antigen/antibodydissociation rate. In another embodiment, a high binding affinity ismeasured by a competition radioimmunoassay. In another embodiment,binding affinity is measured by ELISA. An antibody that “specificallybinds” an antigen (such as mesothelin) is an antibody that binds theantigen with high affinity and does not significantly bind otherunrelated antigens.

Chemotherapeutic agent: Any chemical agent with therapeutic usefulnessin the treatment of diseases characterized by abnormal cell growth. Suchdiseases include tumors, neoplasms, and cancer as well as diseasescharacterized by hyperplastic growth such as psoriasis. In oneembodiment, a chemotherapeutic agent is an agent of use in treatingmesothelioma or another tumor, such as stomach cancer, squamous cellcarcinomas, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer,cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer or ovarian cancer. In one embodiment,a chemotherapeutic agent is a radioactive compound. One of skill in theart can readily identify a chemotherapeutic agent of use (see forexample, Slapak and Kufe, Principles of Cancer Therapy, Chapter 86 inHarrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th edition; Perry et al.,Chemotherapy, Ch. 17 in Abeloff, Clinical Oncology 2^(nd) ed., © 2000Churchill Livingstone, Inc; Baltzer, L., Berkery, R. (eds.): OncologyPocket Guide to Chemotherapy, 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mosby-Year Book, 1995;Fischer, D. S., Knobf, M. F., Durivage, H. J. (eds): The CancerChemotherapy Handbook, 4th ed. St. Louis, Mosby-Year Book, 1993).Combination chemotherapy is the administration of more than one agent totreat cancer. One example is the administration of an antibody (orimmunoconjugate) that binds mesothelin used in combination with aradioactive or chemical compound.

Cholangiocarcinoma: A type of cancer that develops in cells that linethe bile ducts in the liver.

Conservative variant: “Conservative” amino acid substitutions are thosesubstitutions that do not substantially affect or decrease the affinityof a protein, such as an antibody to mesothelin. For example, amonoclonal antibody that specifically binds mesothelin can include atmost about 1, at most about 2, at most about 5, at most about 10, or atmost about 15 conservative substitutions and specifically bind amesothelin polypeptide. The term “conservative variant” also includesthe use of a substituted amino acid in place of an unsubstituted parentamino acid, provided that antibody specifically binds mesothelin.Non-conservative substitutions are those that reduce an activity orbinding to mesothelin.

Conservative amino acid substitution tables providing functionallysimilar amino acids are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art.The following six groups are examples of amino acids that are consideredto be conservative substitutions for one another:

1) Alanine (A), Serine (S), Threonine (T);

2) Aspartic acid (D), Glutamic acid (E);

3) Asparagine (N), Glutamine (Q);

4) Arginine (R), Lysine (K);

5) Isoleucine (I), Leucine (L), Methionine (M), Valine (V); and

6) Phenylalanine (F), Tyrosine (Y), Tryptophan (W).

Complementarity determining region (CDR): Amino acid sequences whichtogether define the binding affinity and specificity of the natural Fvregion of a native Ig binding site. The light and heavy chains of an Igeach have three CDRs, designated L-CDR1, L-CDR2, L-CDR3 and H-CDR1,H-CDR2, H-CDR3, respectively.

Contacting: Placement in direct physical association; includes both insolid and liquid form.

Cytotoxicity: The toxicity of a molecule, such as an immunotoxin, to thecells intended to be targeted, as opposed to the cells of the rest of anorganism. In one embodiment, in contrast, the term “toxicity” refers totoxicity of an immunotoxin to cells other than those that are the cellsintended to be targeted by the targeting moiety of the immunotoxin, andthe term “animal toxicity” refers to toxicity of the immunotoxin to ananimal by toxicity of the immunotoxin to cells other than those intendedto be targeted by the immunotoxin.

Degenerate variant: In the context of the present disclosure, a“degenerate variant” refers to a polynucleotide encoding a mesothelinpolypeptide or an antibody that binds mesothelin that includes asequence that is degenerate as a result of the genetic code. There are20 natural amino acids, most of which are specified by more than onecodon. Therefore, all degenerate nucleotide sequences are included aslong as the amino acid sequence of the mesothelin polypeptide orantibody that binds mesothelin encoded by the nucleotide sequence isunchanged.

Diagnostic: Identifying the presence or nature of a pathologiccondition, such as, but not limited to, cancer. Diagnostic methodsdiffer in their sensitivity and specificity. The “sensitivity” of adiagnostic assay is the percentage of diseased individuals who testpositive (percent of true positives). The “specificity” of a diagnosticassay is one minus the false positive rate, where the false positiverate is defined as the proportion of those without the disease who testpositive. While a particular diagnostic method may not provide adefinitive diagnosis of a condition, it suffices if the method providesa positive indication that aids in diagnosis. “Prognostic” is theprobability of development (e.g., severity) of a pathologic condition,such as cancer or metastasis.

Effector molecule: The portion of a chimeric molecule that is intendedto have a desired effect on a cell to which the chimeric molecule istargeted. Effector molecule is also known as an effector moiety (EM),therapeutic agent, or diagnostic agent, or similar terms.

Therapeutic agents include such compounds as nucleic acids, proteins,peptides, amino acids or derivatives, glycoproteins, radioisotopes,lipids, carbohydrates, or recombinant viruses. Nucleic acid therapeuticand diagnostic moieties include antisense nucleic acids, derivatizedoligonucleotides for covalent cross-linking with single or duplex DNA,and triplex forming oligonucleotides. Alternatively, the molecule linkedto a targeting moiety, such as an anti-mesothelin antibody, may be anencapsulation system, such as a liposome or micelle that contains atherapeutic composition such as a drug, a nucleic acid (such as anantisense nucleic acid), or another therapeutic moiety that can beshielded from direct exposure to the circulatory system. Means ofpreparing liposomes attached to antibodies are well known to those ofskill in the art (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,735; and Connoret al., Pharm Ther 28:341-365, 1985). Diagnostic agents or moietiesinclude radioisotopes and other detectable labels. Detectable labelsuseful for such purposes are also well known in the art, and includeradioactive isotopes such as ³⁵S, ¹³C, ¹³N, ¹⁵O, ¹⁸F, ¹⁹F, ^(99m)Tc,¹³¹I, ³H, ¹⁴C, ¹⁵N, ⁹⁰Y, ⁹⁹Tc, ¹¹¹In and ¹²⁵I, fluorophores,chemiluminescent agents, and enzymes.

Epitope: An antigenic determinant. These are particular chemical groupsor peptide sequences on a molecule that are antigenic, i.e. that elicita specific immune response. An antibody specifically binds a particularantigenic epitope on a polypeptide, such as mesothelin.

Framework region: Amino acid sequences interposed between CDRs.Framework regions include variable light and variable heavy frameworkregions. The framework regions serve to hold the CDRs in an appropriateorientation for antigen binding.

Host cells: Cells in which a vector can be propagated and its DNAexpressed. The cell may be prokaryotic or eukaryotic. The term alsoincludes any progeny of the subject host cell. It is understood that allprogeny may not be identical to the parental cell since there may bemutations that occur during replication. However, such progeny areincluded when the term “host cell” is used.

Hybridoma: A hybrid cell for the production of monoclonal antibodies. Ahybridoma is produced by fusion of an antibody-producing cell (such as aB cell obtained from an immunized animal, for example a mouse, rat orrabbit) and a myeloma cell.

Immune response: A response of a cell of the immune system, such as a Bcell, T cell, or monocyte, to a stimulus. In one embodiment, theresponse is specific for a particular antigen (an “antigen-specificresponse”). In one embodiment, an immune response is a T cell response,such as a CD4⁺ response or a CD8⁺ response. In another embodiment, theresponse is a B cell response, and results in the production of specificantibodies.

Immunoconjugate: A covalent linkage of an effector molecule to anantibody or functional fragment thereof. The effector molecule can be adetectable label or an immunotoxin. Specific, non-limiting examples oftoxins include, but are not limited to, abrin, ricin, Pseudomonasexotoxin (PE, such as PE35, PE37, PE38, and PE40), diphtheria toxin(DT), botulinum toxin, or modified toxins thereof, or other toxic agentsthat directly or indirectly inhibit cell growth or kill cells. Forexample, PE and DT are highly toxic compounds that typically bring aboutdeath through liver toxicity. PE and DT, however, can be modified into aform for use as an immunotoxin by removing the native targetingcomponent of the toxin (such as the domain Ia of PE and the B chain ofDT) and replacing it with a different targeting moiety, such as anantibody. A “chimeric molecule” is a targeting moiety, such as a ligandor an antibody, conjugated (coupled) to an effector molecule. The term“conjugated” or “linked” refers to making two polypeptides into onecontiguous polypeptide molecule. In one embodiment, an antibody isjoined to an effector molecule. In another embodiment, an antibodyjoined to an effector molecule is further joined to a lipid or othermolecule to a protein or peptide to increase its half-life in the body.The linkage can be either by chemical or recombinant means. In oneembodiment, the linkage is chemical, wherein a reaction between theantibody moiety and the effector molecule has produced a covalent bondformed between the two molecules to form one molecule. A peptide linker(short peptide sequence) can optionally be included between the antibodyand the effector molecule. Because immunoconjugates were originallyprepared from two molecules with separate functionalities, such as anantibody and an effector molecule, they are also sometimes referred toas “chimeric molecules.” The term “chimeric molecule,” as used herein,therefore refers to a targeting moiety, such as a ligand or an antibody,conjugated (coupled) to an effector molecule.

Isolated: An “isolated” biological component, such as a nucleic acid,protein (including antibodies) or organelle, has been substantiallyseparated or purified away from other biological components in theenvironment (such as a cell) in which the component naturally occurs,i.e., other chromosomal and extra-chromosomal DNA and RNA, proteins andorganelles. Nucleic acids and proteins that have been “isolated” includenucleic acids and proteins purified by standard purification methods.The term also embraces nucleic acids and proteins prepared byrecombinant expression in a host cell as well as chemically synthesizednucleic acids.

Label: A detectable compound or composition that is conjugated directlyor indirectly to another molecule, such as an antibody or a protein, tofacilitate detection of that molecule. Specific, non-limiting examplesof labels include fluorescent tags, enzymatic linkages, and radioactiveisotopes. In one example, a “labeled antibody” refers to incorporationof another molecule in the antibody. For example, the label is adetectable marker, such as the incorporation of a radiolabeled aminoacid or attachment to a polypeptide of biotinyl moieties that can bedetected by marked avidin (for example, streptavidin containing afluorescent marker or enzymatic activity that can be detected by opticalor colorimetric methods). Various methods of labeling polypeptides andglycoproteins are known in the art and may be used. Examples of labelsfor polypeptides include, but are not limited to, the following:radioisotopes or radionucleotides (such as ³⁵S, ¹³C, ¹³N, ¹⁵O, ¹⁸F, ¹⁹F,^(99m)Tc, ¹³¹I, ³H, ¹⁴C, ¹⁵N, ⁹⁰Y, ⁹⁹Tc, ¹¹¹In and ¹²⁵I), fluorescentlabels (such as fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), rhodamine, lanthanidephosphors), enzymatic labels (such as horseradish peroxidase,beta-galactosidase, luciferase, alkaline phosphatase), chemiluminescentmarkers, biotinyl groups, predetermined polypeptide epitopes recognizedby a secondary reporter (such as a leucine zipper pair sequences,binding sites for secondary antibodies, metal binding domains, epitopetags), or magnetic agents, such as gadolinium chelates. In someembodiments, labels are attached by spacer arms of various lengths toreduce potential steric hindrance.

Linker: In some cases, a linker is a peptide within an antibody bindingfragment (such as an Fv fragment) which serves to indirectly bond thevariable heavy chain to the variable light chain. “Linker” can alsorefer to a peptide serving to link a targeting moiety, such as anantibody, to an effector molecule, such as a cytotoxin or a detectablelabel.

The terms “conjugating,” “joining,” “bonding” or “linking” refer tomaking two polypeptides into one contiguous polypeptide molecule, or tocovalently attaching a radionuclide or other molecule to a polypeptide,such as an scFv. In the specific context, the terms include reference tojoining a ligand, such as an antibody moiety, to an effector molecule.The linkage can be either by chemical or recombinant means. “Chemicalmeans” refers to a reaction between the antibody moiety and the effectormolecule such that there is a covalent bond formed between the twomolecules to form one molecule.

Lung cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in thecells lining air passages. The two main types are small cell lung cancerand non-small cell lung cancer. These types are diagnosed based on howthe cells look under a microscope.

Mammal: This term includes both human and non-human mammals. Similarly,the term “subject” includes both human and veterinary subjects.

Mesothelin: A 40 kDa cell-surface glycosylphosphatidylinositol(GPI)-linked glycoprotein. The human mesothelin protein is synthesizedas a 69 kD precursor which is then proteolytically processed. The 30 kDamino terminus of mesothelin is secreted and is referred to asmegakaryocyte potentiating factor (Yamaguchi et al., J. Biol. Chem.269:805 808, 1994). The 40 kD carboxyl terminus remains bound to themembrane as mature mesothelin (Chang et al., Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:136140, 1996). Exemplary nucleic acid and amino acid sequences ofmesothelin are as described in PCT Publication No. WO 97/25,068; U.S.Pat. No. 6,083,502; Chang and Pastan, Int. J. Cancer 57:90, 1994; Changand Pastan, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 93:136, 1996; Brinkmann et al.,Int. J. Cancer 71:638, 1997; and Chowdhury et al., Mol. Immunol. 34:9,1997. The amino acid sequence of human mesothelin is set forth herein asSEQ ID NO: 7. Mesothelin also refers to mesothelin proteins orpolypeptides which remain intracellular as well as secreted and/orisolated extracellular mesothelin protein.

Mesothelioma: A type of neoplasm derived from the lining cells of thepleura and peritoneum which grows as a thick sheet covering the viscera,and is composed of spindle cells or fibrous tissue which may enclosegland-like spaces lined by cuboidal cells. Mesotheliomas often originatein the tissue lining the lung, heart or abdomen. In some cases,mesotheliomas are caused by exposure to asbestos.

MORAb-009: A chimeric (mouse/human) monoclonal IgG/K with high affinityand specificity for mesothelin. The VH and VL regions of mouseanti-mesothelin scFv were obtained by panning a phage display librarymade from splenic mRNA of a mouse immunized with mesothelin cDNA onmesothelin-positive cells. The VH and VL regions were grafted in framewith human IgG1 and kappa constant regions (Hassan and Ho, Eur J Cancer44(1):46-53, 2008).

Neoplasia, malignancy, cancer or tumor: A neoplasm is an abnormal growthof tissue or cells that results from excessive cell division. Neoplasticgrowth can produce a tumor. The amount of a tumor in an individual isthe “tumor burden” which can be measured as the number, volume, orweight of the tumor. A tumor that does not metastasize is referred to as“benign.” A tumor that invades the surrounding tissue and/or canmetastasize is referred to as “malignant.” Examples of hematologicaltumors include leukemias, including acute leukemias (such as acutelymphocytic leukemia, acute myelocytic leukemia, acute myelogenousleukemia and myeloblastic, promyelocytic, myelomonocytic, monocytic anderythroleukemia), chronic leukemias (such as chronic myelocytic(granulocytic) leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and chroniclymphocytic leukemia), polycythemia vera, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease,non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (indolent and high grade forms), multiplemyeloma, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, heavy chain disease,myelodysplastic syndrome, hairy cell leukemia and myelodysplasia.

Examples of solid tumors, such as sarcomas and carcinomas, includefibrosarcoma, myxosarcoma, liposarcoma, chondrosarcoma, osteogenicsarcoma, and other sarcomas, synovioma, mesothelioma,cholangiocarcinoma, Ewing's tumor, leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma,colon carcinoma, lymphoid malignancy, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer,lung cancers, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma,squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, sweatgland carcinoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma, papillary thyroidcarcinoma, pheochromocytomas sebaceous gland carcinoma, papillarycarcinoma, papillary adenocarcinomas, medullary carcinoma, bronchogeniccarcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, hepatoma, bile duct carcinoma,choriocarcinoma, Wilms' tumor, cervical cancer, testicular tumor,seminoma, bladder carcinoma, and CNS tumors (such as a glioma,astrocytoma, medulloblastoma, craniopharyogioma, ependymoma, pinealoma,hemangioblastoma, acoustic neuroma, oligodendroglioma, menangioma,melanoma, neuroblastoma and retinoblastoma).

In several examples, the caner is mesothelioma, stomach cancer, squamouscell carcinomas, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer,cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer or ovarian cancer.

Operably linked: A first nucleic acid sequence is operably linked with asecond nucleic acid sequence when the first nucleic acid sequence isplaced in a functional relationship with the second nucleic acidsequence. For instance, a promoter, such as the CMV promoter, isoperably linked to a coding sequence if the promoter affects thetranscription or expression of the coding sequence. Generally, operablylinked DNA sequences are contiguous and, where necessary to join twoprotein-coding regions, in the same reading frame.

Ovarian cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the ovary (one of a pairof female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed).Most ovarian cancers are either ovarian epithelial carcinomas (cancerthat begins in the cells on the surface of the ovary) or malignant germcell tumors (cancer that begins in egg cells).

Pancreatic cancer: A disease in which malignant (cancer) cells are foundin the tissues of the pancreas. Also called exocrine cancer.

Pharmaceutical agent: A chemical compound or composition capable ofinducing a desired therapeutic or prophylactic effect when properlyadministered to a subject or a cell.

Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers: The pharmaceutically acceptablecarriers of use are conventional. Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences,by E. W. Martin, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 15th Edition, 1975,describes compositions and formulations suitable for pharmaceuticaldelivery of the antibodies disclosed herein.

In general, the nature of the carrier will depend on the particular modeof administration being employed. For instance, parenteral formulationsusually comprise injectable fluids that include pharmaceutically andphysiologically acceptable fluids such as water, physiological saline,balanced salt solutions, aqueous dextrose, glycerol or the like as avehicle. For solid compositions (such as powder, pill, tablet, orcapsule forms), conventional non-toxic solid carriers can include, forexample, pharmaceutical grades of mannitol, lactose, starch, ormagnesium stearate. In addition to biologically neutral carriers,pharmaceutical compositions to be administered can contain minor amountsof non-toxic auxiliary substances, such as wetting or emulsifyingagents, preservatives, and pH buffering agents and the like, for examplesodium acetate or sorbitan monolaurate.

Preventing, treating or ameliorating a disease: “Preventing” a diseaserefers to inhibiting the full development of a disease. “Treating”refers to a therapeutic intervention that ameliorates a sign or symptomof a disease or pathological condition after it has begun to develop,such as a reduction in tumor burden or a decrease in the number of sizeof metastases. “Ameliorating” refers to the reduction in the number orseverity of signs or symptoms of a disease, such as cancer.

Prostate cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate (a glandin the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front ofthe rectum). Prostate cancer usually occurs in older men.

Purified: The term purified does not require absolute purity; rather, itis intended as a relative term. Thus, for example, a purified peptidepreparation is one in which the peptide or protein is more enriched thanthe peptide or protein is in its natural environment within a cell. Inone embodiment, a preparation is purified such that the protein orpeptide represents at least 50% of the total peptide or protein contentof the preparation. Substantial purification denotes purification fromother proteins or cellular components. A substantially purified proteinis at least 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 98% pure. Thus, in one specific,non-limiting example, a substantially purified protein is 90% free ofother proteins or cellular components.

Recombinant: A recombinant nucleic acid is one that has a sequence thatis not naturally occurring or has a sequence that is made by anartificial combination of two otherwise separated segments of sequence.This artificial combination is often accomplished by chemical synthesisor by the artificial manipulation of isolated segments of nucleic acids,for example, by genetic engineering techniques.

Recombinant toxins: Chimeric proteins in which a cell targeting moietyis fused to a toxin (Pastan et al., Science, 254:1173-1177, 1991). Ifthe cell targeting moiety is the Fv portion of an antibody, the moleculeis termed a recombinant immunotoxin (Chaudhary et al., Nature,339:394-397, 1989). The toxin moiety is genetically altered so that itcannot bind to the toxin receptor present on most normal cells.Recombinant immunotoxins selectively kill cells which are recognized bythe antigen binding domain. These recombinant toxins and immunotoxinscan be used to treat cancer, for example, a cancer in which mesothelinis expressed.

Sample (or biological sample): A biological specimen containing genomicDNA, RNA (including mRNA), protein, or combinations thereof, obtainedfrom a subject. Examples include, but are not limited to, peripheralblood, tissue, cells, urine, saliva, tissue biopsy, fine needleaspirate, surgical specimen, and autopsy material. In one example, asample includes a tumor biopsy, such as a tumor biopsy.

Sequence identity: The similarity between amino acid or nucleic acidsequences is expressed in terms of the similarity between the sequences,otherwise referred to as sequence identity. Sequence identity isfrequently measured in terms of percentage identity (or similarity orhomology); the higher the percentage, the more similar the two sequencesare. Homologs or variants of a polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule willpossess a relatively high degree of sequence identity when aligned usingstandard methods.

Methods of alignment of sequences for comparison are well known in theart. Various programs and alignment algorithms are described in: Smithand Waterman, Adv. Appl. Math. 2:482, 1981; Needleman and Wunsch, J.Mol. Biol. 48:443, 1970; Pearson and Lipman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.U.S.A. 85:2444, 1988; Higgins and Sharp, Gene 73:237, 1988; Higgins andSharp, CABIOS 5:151, 1989; Corpet et al., Nucleic Acids Research16:10881, 1988; and Pearson and Lipman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.85:2444, 1988. Altschul et al., Nature Genet. 6:119, 1994, presents adetailed consideration of sequence alignment methods and homologycalculations.

The NCBI Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) (Altschul et al., J.Mol. Biol. 215:403, 1990) is available from several sources, includingthe National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI, Bethesda, Md.)and on the internet, for use in connection with the sequence analysisprograms blastp, blastn, blastx, tblastn and tblastx. A description ofhow to determine sequence identity using this program is available onthe NCBI website on the internet.

Homologs and variants of a V_(L) or a V_(H) of an antibody thatspecifically binds mesothelin or a fragment thereof are typicallycharacterized by possession of at least about 75%, for example at leastabout 80%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% sequence identity counted overthe full length alignment with the amino acid sequence of the antibodyusing the NCBI Blast 2.0, gapped blastp set to default parameters. Forcomparisons of amino acid sequences of greater than about 30 aminoacids, the Blast 2 sequences function is employed using the defaultBLOSUM62 matrix set to default parameters, (gap existence cost of 11,and a per residue gap cost of 1). When aligning short peptides (fewerthan around 30 amino acids), the alignment should be performed using theBlast 2 sequences function, employing the PAM30 matrix set to defaultparameters (open gap 9, extension gap 1 penalties). Proteins with evengreater similarity to the reference sequences will show increasingpercentage identities when assessed by this method, such as at least80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, or at least99% sequence identity. When less than the entire sequence is beingcompared for sequence identity, homologs and variants will typicallypossess at least 80% sequence identity over short windows of 10-20 aminoacids, and may possess sequence identities of at least 85% or at least90% or 95% depending on their similarity to the reference sequence.Methods for determining sequence identity over such short windows areavailable at the NCBI website on the internet. One of skill in the artwill appreciate that these sequence identity ranges are provided forguidance only; it is entirely possible that strongly significanthomologs could be obtained that fall outside of the ranges provided.

Squamous cell carcinoma: A malignant neoplasm derived from stratifiedsquamous epithelium, but which may also occur in sites such as bronchialmucosa where glandular or columnar epithelium is normally present.Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer.

SS1P: A recombinant immunotoxin consisting of an anti-mesothelin Fv (thesame Fv as MORAb-009) linked to a truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin thatmediates cell killing (Chowdhury and Pastan, Nat Biotechnol 17:568-572,1999; Pastan et al., Nat Rev Cancer 6:559-565, 2006). SS1P, also knownas CAT-5001, is cytotoxic to cell lines expressing mesothelin, causescomplete regression of mesothelin expressing tumor xenografts in nudemice, and is cytotoxic to cells obtained from human cancer patients(Hassan et al., Clin Cancer Res 10:3937-3942, 2001; Hassan et al., ClinCancer Res 8:3520-3526, 2002).

Stomach cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues lining the stomach. Alsocalled gastric cancer.

Subject: Living multi-cellular vertebrate organisms, a category thatincludes both human and veterinary subjects, including human andnon-human mammals.

Synthetic: Produced by artificial means in a laboratory, for example amonoclonal antibody produced by hybridoma technology or expressed from acDNA construct.

Therapeutically effective amount: A quantity of a specific substancesufficient to achieve a desired effect in a subject being treated. Forinstance, this can be the amount necessary to inhibit or suppress growthof a tumor. In one embodiment, a therapeutically effective amount is theamount necessary to eliminate, reduce the size, or prevent metastasis ofa tumor. When administered to a subject, a dosage will generally be usedthat will achieve target tissue concentrations (for example, in tumors)that has been shown to achieve a desired in vitro effect.

Toxin: A molecule that is cytotoxic for a cell. Toxins include abrin,ricin, Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE), diphtheria toxin (DT), botulinumtoxin, saporin, restrictocin or gelonin, or modified toxins thereof. Forexample, PE and DT are highly toxic compounds that typically bring aboutdeath through liver toxicity. PE and DT, however, can be modified into aform for use as an immunotoxin by removing the native targetingcomponent of the toxin (such as domain Ia of PE or the B chain of DT)and replacing it with a different targeting moiety, such as an antibody.

Vector: A nucleic acid molecule as introduced into a host cell, therebyproducing a transformed host cell. A vector may include nucleic acidsequences that permit it to replicate in a host cell, such as an originof replication. A vector may also include one or more selectable markergenes and other genetic elements known in the art.

Unless otherwise explained, all technical and scientific terms usedherein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The singular terms“a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless context clearlyindicates otherwise. “Comprising A or B” means including A, or B, or Aand B. It is further to be understood that all base sizes or amino acidsizes, and all molecular weight or molecular mass values, given fornucleic acids or polypeptides are approximate, and are provided fordescription. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent tothose described herein can be used in the practice or testing of thepresent disclosure, suitable methods and materials are described below.

All publications, patent applications, patents, and other referencesmentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Incase of conflict, the present specification, including explanations ofterms, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examplesare illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

III. Introduction

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against mesothelin are currently beingevaluated and clinically developed for the treatment of mesothelioma andseveral other forms of cancer. However, almost all of the existingmesothelin mAbs (including MORAb-009) currently being evaluated inpreclinical or clinical studies recognize Region I, the highlyimmunogenic N-terminus of cell surface mesothelin, which also bindsmucin MUC16/CA125. Autoantibodies, or soluble MUC16/CA125 proteins inpatients may sequester anti-Region I mAbs, limiting their anti-cancerefficacy. In addition, when measuring soluble mesothelin for follow-upof patients in clinical trials treated with MORAb-009, the FDA-approvedMesoMark™ kit fails to detect serum mesothelin because it forms acomplex with MORAb-009 and the epitope of MORAb-009 overlaps that of theanti-Region I antibody used in MesoMark™. Thus, it is desirable togenerate and evaluate mAbs against all of the potentially functionalsub-domains of mesothelin for anti-tumor activity and diagnostic value.

Rabbit hybridoma technology and a panel of truncated mesothelin domainfragments were used to identify anti-mesothelin mAbs that specificallybind an epitope that is not part of Region I. Four rabbit mAbs (YP187,YP223, YP218 and YP3) were identified with high, subnanomolar affinityfor either Region II (391-486), Region III (487-581) or a nativeconformation. SS1P, a recombinant immunotoxin consisting of ananti-mesothelin Fv linked to a truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin, does notcompete with the binding of these antibodies to mesothelin in ELISA,thus these new rabbit mAbs recognize epitopes different from theMORAb-009/SS1P site. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that therabbit mAbs also bind native mesothelin on cancer cells.

Immunotoxins comprising rabbit scFv YP187, YP223, YP218 or YP3 fused toPE38 were capable of binding mesothelin-expressing cells and inducingcytotoxicity. YP218scFv-PE38 exhibited the highest binding affinity,therefore the cytotoxicity of this immunotoxin was further evaluatedagainst four mesothelioma patient primary cells and in a mouse model ofmesothelioma. The results demonstrated that YP218scFv-PE38 was 2- to5-fold more potent than SS1P against primary patient mesothelioma cellsand was more effective against tumor relapse than SS1P in vivo.

Further disclosed herein is the identification of a high-affinity rabbitmAb that binds Region I of mesothelin (YP158). YP158 binds nativemesothelin protein in cancer cells and tissues with very high affinityand specificity.

IV. Rabbit Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for Mesothelin

Disclosed herein is a panel of rabbit anti-mesothelin monoclonalantibodies (mAbs) that bind specific regions of mesothelin. In oneaspect of the present disclosure, the rabbit mAbs bind an epitope thatis not part of Region I. In particular, the identified mAbs (YP187,YP223, YP218 and YP3) bind either Region II (391-486), Region III(487-581) or a native conformation of mesothelin with subnanomolaraffinity. These antibodies do not compete for binding with themesothelin-specific immunotoxin SS1P or mesothelin-specific antibodyMORAb-009. In another aspect, disclosed is a high-affinity rabbit mAbthat binds Region I of mesothelin (YP158). YP158 binds native mesothelinprotein in cancer cells and tissues with high affinity and specificity.

The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the VH and VL domains ofYP223, YP218, YP3, YP187 and YP158 are shown below.

YP223 VH Nucleotide Sequence  (SEQ ID NO: 8)CAGGAGCAGCTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGAGACCTGGTCCAGCCTGAGGGATCCCTGACACTCACCTGCAAAGCCTCTGGGTTAGACTTCAGTAGCAGCTACTGGATATGTTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGATCGGGTGTCGTCATACTTTTACTGCTAACACATGGTCCGCGAGCTGGGTGAATGGCCGGTTCACCATCTCCAGAAGCACCAGCCTAGGCACGGTGGATCTGAAAATGACCAGTCTGACAGCCGCGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCCAGAGATGAATCTAATAATGATGGTTGGGATTTTAAGTTGTGGGGCCCAGGCACCCT GGTCACCGTCTCCTCAYP223 VH Amino Acid Sequence  (SEQ ID NO: 9)QEQLEESGGDLVQPEGSLTLTCKASGLDFSSSYWICWVRQAPGKGLEWIGCRHTFTANTWSASWVNGRFTISRSTSLGTVDLKMTSLTAADTATYFCARDESNNDGWDFKLWGPGTLVTVSS YP223 VL Nucleotide Sequence  (SEQ ID NO: 10)GCCTATGATATGACCCAGACTCCAGCCTCCGTGTCTGCAGCTGTGGGAGGCACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAGCATTAGTAACTACTTAGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAAGCTCCTGATCTACCAGGCATCCACTCTGGCACCTGGGGTCTCATCGCGGTTCAAAGGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGAATTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGGCGTGGAGTGTGCCGATGCTGCCACTTACTACTGTCAACAGGGTTATACTAGTAGTAATGTTGAGAATGTTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGGGGTGGTGGTC YP223 VL Amino Acid Sequence (SEQ ID NO: 11) AYDMTQTPASVSAAVGGTVTIKCQASQSISNYLAWYQQKPGQPPKLLIYQASTLAPGVSSRFKGSGSGTEFTLTISGVECADAATYYCQQGYTSSNVENV FGGGTGVVV

TABLE 1 Amino acid positions of the YP223 VH (SEQ ID NO: 9) CDRs andYP223 VL (SEQ ID NO: 11) CDRs H-CDR1 H-CDR2 H-CDR3 L-CDR1 L-CDR2 L-CDR3Kabat 31-36 51-67 100-111 24-34 50-56 89-100 IMGT 27-34 52-59  98-11127-32 50-52 89-100

YP218 VH Nucleotide Sequence  (SEQ ID NO: 12)CAGCAGCAGCTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGAGGCCTGGTCAAGCCTGAGGGATCCCTGACACTCACCTGCAAAGCCTCTGGATTCGACCTCGGTTTCTACTTTTACGCCTGTTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGCCTGGAGTGGATCGCATGCATTTATACTGCTGGTAGTGGTAGCACGTACTACGCGAGCTGGGCGAAAGGCCGATTCACCATCTCCAAAGCCTCGTCGACCACGGTGACTCTGCAAATGACCAGTCTGGCAGCCGCGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCGAGATCTACTGCTAATACTAGAAGTACTTATTATCTTAACTTGTGGGGCCCAGGCAC CCTGGTCACCGTCTCCTCAYP218 VH Amino Acid Sequence  (SEQ ID NO: 13)QQQLEESGGGLVKPEGSLTLTCKASGFDLGFYFYACWVRQAPGKGLEWIACIYTAGSGSTYYASWAKGRFTISKASSTTVTLQMTSLAAADTATYFCARSTANTRSTYYLNLWGPGTLVTVSS YP218 VL Nucleotide Sequence  (SEQ ID NO: 14)GACGTCGTGATGACCCAGACTCCAGCCTCCGTGTCTGAACCTGTGGGAGGCACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAGGATTAGTAGTTACTTATCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCGTCCCAAGCTCCTGATCTTTGGTGCATCCACTCTGGCATCTGGGGTCCCCTCGCGGTTCAAAGGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGAATACACTCTCACCATCAGCGACCTGGAGTGTGCCGATGCTGCCACTTACTACTGTCAGAGTTATGCTTATTTTGATAGTAATAATTGGCATGCTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTC YP218 VL Amino Acid Sequence (SEQ ID NO: 15) DVVMTQTPASVSEPVGGTVTIKCQASQRISSYLSWYQQKPGQRPKLLIFGASTLASGVPSRFKGSGSGTEYTLTISDLECADAATYYCQSYAYFDSNNWH AFGGGTEVVV

TABLE 2 Amino acid positions of the YP218 VH (SEQ ID NO: 13) CDRs andYP218 VL (SEQ ID NO: 15) CDRs H-CDR1 H-CDR2 H-CDR3 L-CDR1 L-CDR2 L-CDR3Kabat 31-36 51-68 100-112 24-34 50-56 89-101 IMGT 27-34 52-59  98-11227-32 50-52 89-101

YP3 VH Nucleotide Sequence  (SEQ ID NO: 16)CAGGAGCAGCTGGTGGAGTCCGGGGGAGGCCTGGTCCAGCCTGGGGCATCCCTGACACTCACCTGCACAGCCTCTGGAATCGACTTCAGTCGCTACTACATGTGTTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGACTGGAGGGGATCGCATGTATTTATATTGGTGGTAGTGGTAGCACTTACTACGCGAGCTGGGCGAAAGGCCGATTCACCATCTCCAAAGCCTCGTCGACCACGGTGACTCTGCAAATGACCAGTCTGACAGCCGCGGACACGGCCACTTATTTCTGTGCGAGAGGGACTAATCTTAATTATATTTTTAGGTTGTGGGGCCCAGGCACCCTGGTCACCGT CTCCTCAYP3 VH Amino Acid Sequence  (SEQ ID NO: 17)QEQLVESGGGLVQPGASLTLTCTASGIDFSRYYMCWVRQAPGKGLEGIACIYIGGSGSTYYASWAKGRFTISKASSTTVTLQMTSLTAADTATYFCARGT NLNYIFRLWGPGTLVTVSSYP3 VL Nucleotide Sequence  (SEQ ID NO: 18)GATGTTGTGATGACCCAGACTCCATCTCCCGTGTCTGCAGCTGTGGGAGGCACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAGCATTAATAATGGTTTAGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAGGCTCCTGATCTATTCTGCATCCAATCTGGAATCTGGGGTCCCATCGCGGTTCAAAGGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGAGTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGACCTGGAGTGTGACGATGCTGCCACTTACTATTGTCAATGTATTTGGGATGGTAATAGTTATGTTAATGCTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTC YP3 VL Amino Acid Sequence  (SEQ ID NO: 19)DVVMTQTPSPVSAAVGGTVTIKCQASQSINNGLAWYQQKPGQPPRLLIYSASNLESGVPSRFKGSGSGTEFTLTISDLECDDAATYYCQCIWDGNSYVNA FGGGTEVVV

TABLE 3 Amino acid positions of the YP3 VH (SEQ ID NO: 17) CDRs and YP3VL (SEQ ID NO: 19) CDRs H-CDR1 H-CDR2 H-CDR3 L-CDR1 L-CDR2 L-CDR3 Kabat31-35 50-67 99-108 24-34 50-56 89-100 IMGT 26-33 51-58 97-108 27-3250-52 89-100

YP187 clone 1 VH Nucleotide Sequence  (SEQ ID NO: 20)CAGTCGTTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGAGACCTGGTCAAGCCTGGGGCATCCCTGACACTCACCTGCAAAGCCTCTGGATTCGACTTCAGTAGCAATGCAATGTGCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGATCGCATGCATTTATGTTGGTGATGGCAACACATACTACGCGAGCTGGGCGAAAGGCCGATTTACCATCTCCAAAACCTCGTCGACCACGGTGACTCTGCAAATGACCAGTCTGACAGCCGCGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCGAGGGGATATGCTAGTTATGGTAGTGATTATTATTGGGACTACTTTAAGTTGTGGGGCCCAYP187 clone 1 VH Amino Acid Sequence  (SEQ ID NO: 21)QSLEESGGDLVKPGASLTLTCKASGFDFSSNAMCWVRQAPGKGLEWIACIYVGDGNTYYASWAKGRFTISKTSSTTVTLQMTSLTAADTATYFCARGYAS YGSDYYWDYFKLWGPYP187 clone 2 VH Nucleotide Sequence  (SEQ ID NO: 28)CAGGAGCAGCTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGAGACCTGGTCAAGCCGGGGGCATCCCTGACACTCACCTGCACAGCCTCTGGATTCTCCTTCAGCAGCAGCTACTGGATATGCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGATCGCATGCATTTATGCTGGTGATGGTGGTGCCACCTATGACGCGAGCTGGGTGAATGGCCGATTCTCCATCTCCAAAACCTCGTCGACCACGGTGACTCTGCAAATGACCAGTCTGACAGCCGCGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCGAGAAAGGGTGCTGCTCCTACTACTTATTACTATTTTAATTTGTGGGGCCCAGGCAC CCTGGTCACCGTCTCCTCAYP187 clone 2 VH Amino Acid Sequence  (SEQ ID NO: 29)QEQLEESGGDLVKPGASLTLTCTASGFSFSSSYWICWVRQAPGKGLEWIACIYAGDGGATYDASWVNGRFSISKTSSTTVTLQMTSLTAADTATYFCARKGAAPTTYYYFNLWGPGTLVTVSS YP187 VL Nucleotide Sequence  (SEQ ID NO: 22)GCCTATGATATGACCCAGACTCCAGCCTCCGTGTCTGCAGCTGTGGGAGGCACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGGCCAGTCAGAGCATTAGCACTGCATTAGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAAGGTCCTGATCTATGCTGCATCCAATCTGGCATCTGGGGTCTCATCGCGGTTCAAAGGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGAGTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCGACCTGGAGTGTGCCGATGCTGCCACTTACTATTGTCAACAGGCTGCTACCATTATTAATGTTGATAATGTTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTC YP187 VL Amino Acid Sequence (SEQ ID NO: 23) AYDMTQTPASVSAAVGGTVTIKCQASQSISTALAWYQQKPGQPPKVLIYAASNLASGVSSRFKGSGSGTEFTLTISDLECADAATYYCQQAATIINVDNV FGGGTEVVV

TABLE 4A Amino acid positions of the YP187 clone 1 VH (SEQ ID NO: 21)CDRs and YP187 VL (SEQ ID NO: 23) CDRs H-CDR1 H-CDR2 H-CDR3 L-CDR1L-CDR2 L-CDR3 Kabat 31-35 50-66 98-113 24-34 50-56 89-100 IMGT 25-3351-57 96-113 27-32 50-52 89-100

TABLE 4B Amino acid positions of the YP187 clone 2 VH (SEQ ID NO: 29)H-CDR1 H-CDR2 H-CDR3 Kabat 31-36 51-68 100-112 IMGT 26-34 52-60  98-112

YP158 VH Nucleotide Sequence  (SEQ ID NO: 24)CAGTCGTTGGAGGAGTCCGGGGGAGACCTGGTCAAGCCTGGGGCATCCCTGACACTCACCTGCACAGCCTCTGGATTCTCCTTCAGTGGCGACTACTACATGTGCTGGGTCCGCCAGGCTCCAGGGAAGGGGCTGGAGTGGATCGCATGCATTGGTGGTGGTAGTAATACTGCCACCTACTACGCGACCTGGGCGAAAGGCCGATTCACCATCTCCAAAACCTCGTCGACCACGGTGACTCTGCAAATGACCAGTCTGACAGCCGCGGACACGGCCACCTATTTCTGTGCGAGAGATCTCGGTTTTGTTGATTATGCTTTGGAATTGTGGGGCCCAGGCACCCTGGTCAC CGTCTCCTCAYP158 VH Amino Acid Sequence  (SEQ ID NO: 25)QSLEESGGDLVKPGASLTLTCTASGFSFSGDYYMCWVRQAPGKGLEWIACIGGGSNTATYYATWAKGRFTISKTSSTTVTLQMTSLTAADTATYFCARDL GFVDYALELWGPGTLVTVSSYP158 VL Nucleotide Sequence  (SEQ ID NO: 26)GACATTGTGATGACCCAGACTCCAGCCTCTGTGGAGGTAGCTGTGGGAGGCACAGTCACCATCAAGTGCCAGGCCAGTGAAAACATGTACAACTCTTTAGCCTGGTATCAGCAGAAACCAGGGCAGCCTCCCAAGCTCCTGATCTACAGGGCATCCACTCTGGAATCTGGGGTCCCATCGCGGTTCAAAGGCAGTGGATCTGGGACAGAGTACACTCTCACCATCAGCGACCTGGAGTGTGCCGATGCTGCCACTTACTACTGTCAATGTACTTTTTATAGTCATAATAATAATTATGGTGGTGCTTTCGGCGGAGGGACCGAGGTGGTGGTC YP158 VL Amino Acid Sequence (SEQ ID NO: 27) DIVMTQTPASVEVAVGGTVTIKCQASENMYNSLAWYQQKPGQPPKLLIYRASTLESGVPSRFKGSGSGTEYTLTISDLECADAATYYCQCTFYSHNNNYG GAFGGGTEVVV

TABLE 5 Amino acid positions of the YP158 VH (SEQ ID NO: 25) CDRs and YP158 VL (SEQ ID NO: 27) CDRs H-CDR1 H-CDR2 H-CDR3 L-CDR1 L-CDR2 L-CDR3Kabat 30-35 50-67 99-109 24-34 50-56 89-102 IMGT 25-33 51-59 97-10927-32 50-52 89-102

Provided herein are isolated monoclonal antibodies that bind (forexample, specifically bind) mesothelin, such as cell-surface or solublemesothelin. In some embodiments, the VH domain of the antibody comprisesat least a portion of the amino acid sequence set forth herein as SEQ IDNO: 9 (YP223), SEQ ID NO: 13 (YP218), SEQ ID NO: 17 (YP3), SEQ ID NO: 21(YP187 clone 1), SEQ ID NO: 29 (YP187 clone 2) or SEQ ID NO: 25 (YP158),such as one or more (such as all three) CDR sequences from SEQ ID NO: 9,13, 17, 21, 29 or 25, as determined by IMGT. In other embodiments, theantibodies comprise one or more (such as all three) CDR sequences fromSEQ ID NO: 9, 13, 17, 21, 29 or 25, as determined using the Kabatmethod.

In some embodiments, the VL domain of the antibody comprises at least aportion of the amino acid sequence set forth herein as SEQ ID NO: 11(YP223), SEQ ID NO: 15 (YP218), SEQ ID NO: 19 (YP3), SEQ ID NO: 23(YP187) or SEQ ID NO: 27 (YP158), such as one or more (such as allthree) CDR sequences from SEQ ID NO: 11, 15, 19, 23 or 27, as determinedby IMGT. In other embodiments, the antibodies comprise one or more (suchas all three) CDR sequences from SEQ ID NO: 11, 15, 19, 23 or 27, asdetermined using the Kabat method.

In some embodiments, the VH domain of the antibody that binds mesothelincomprises amino acid residues 27-34, 52-59 and 98-111 of SEQ ID NO: 9;and/or the VL domain of the antibody comprises amino acid residues27-32, 50-52 and 89-100 of SEQ ID NO: 11. In other embodiments, the VHdomain of the antibody comprises amino acid residues 31-36, 51-67 and100-111 of SEQ ID NO: 9; and/or the VL domain of the antibody comprisesamino acid residues 24-34, 50-56 and 89-100 of SEQ ID NO: 11. In someexamples, the amino acid sequence of the VH domain is at least 90%, atleast 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 9; and/or the amino acid sequence of the VLdomain is at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, atleast 98% or at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 11. In particularexamples, the VH domain of the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 9 and/orthe VL domain of the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 11.

In some embodiments, the VH domain of the antibody comprises amino acidresidues 27-34, 52-59 and 98-112 of SEQ ID NO: 13; and/or the VL domainof the antibody comprises amino acid residues 27-32, 50-52 and 89-101 ofSEQ ID NO: 15. In other embodiments, the VH domain of the antibodycomprises amino acid residues 31-36, 51-68 and 100-112 of SEQ ID NO: 13;and/or the VL domain of the antibody comprises amino acid residues24-34, 50-56 and 89-101 of SEQ ID NO: 15. In some examples, the aminoacid sequence of the VH domain is at least 90%, at least 95%, at least96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO:13; and/or the amino acid sequence of the VL domain is at least 90%, atleast 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 15. In particular examples, the VH domain of theantibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 13 and/or the VL domain of the antibodycomprises SEQ ID NO: 15.

In some embodiments, the VH domain of the antibody comprises amino acidresidues 26-33, 51-58 and 97-108 of SEQ ID NO: 17; and/or the VL domainof the antibody comprises amino acid residues 27-32, 50-52 and 89-100 ofSEQ ID NO: 19. In other embodiments, the VH domain of the antibodycomprises amino acid residues 31-35, 50-67 and 99-108 of SEQ ID NO: 17;and/or the VL domain of the antibody comprises amino acid residues24-34, 50-56 and 89-100 of SEQ ID NO: 19. In some examples, the aminoacid sequence of the VH domain is at least 90%, at least 95%, at least96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO:17; and/or the amino acid sequence of the VL domain is at least 90%, atleast 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 19. In particular examples, the VH domain of theantibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 17 and/or the VL domain of the antibodycomprises SEQ ID NO: 19.

In some embodiments, the VH domain of the antibody comprises amino acidresidues 25-33, 51-57 and 96-113 of SEQ ID NO: 21, or amino acidresidues 26-34, 52-60 and 98-112 of SEQ ID NO: 29; and/or the VL domainof the antibody comprises amino acid residues 27-32, 50-52 and 89-100 ofSEQ ID NO: 23. In other embodiments, the VH domain of the antibodycomprises amino acid residues 31-35, 50-66 and 98-113 of SEQ ID NO: 21,or amino acid residues 31-36, 51-68 and 100-112 of SEQ ID NO: 29; and/orthe VL domain of the antibody comprises amino acid residues 24-34, 50-56and 89-100 of SEQ ID NO: 23. In some examples, the amino acid sequenceof the VH domain is at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least97%, at least 98% or at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO: 21 or SEQ IDNO: 29; and/or the amino acid sequence of the VL domain is at least 90%,at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 23. In particular examples, the VH domain of theantibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 21 or SEQ ID NO: 29 and/or the VL domainof the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 23.

In some embodiments, the VH domain of the antibody comprises amino acidresidues 25-33, 51-59 and 97-109 of SEQ ID NO: 25; and/or the VL domainof the antibody comprises amino acid residues 27-32, 50-52 and 89-102 ofSEQ ID NO: 27. In other embodiments, the VH domain of the antibodycomprises amino acid residues 30-35, 50-67 and 99-109 of SEQ ID NO: 25;and/or the VL domain of the antibody comprises amino acid residues24-34, 50-56 and 89-102 of SEQ ID NO: 27. In some examples, the aminoacid sequence of the VH domain is at least 90%, at least 95%, at least96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% identical to SEQ ID NO:25; and/or the amino acid sequence of the VL domain is at least 90%, atleast 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%identical to SEQ ID NO: 27. In particular examples, the VH domain of theantibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 25 and/or the VL domain of the antibodycomprises SEQ ID NO: 27.

Also provided are isolated monoclonal antibodies that bind, such asspecifically bind, mesothelin, wherein the antibody comprises a VHdomain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 29 or SEQ ID NO: 25; and/ora VL domain comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ IDNO: 15, SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO: 23 or SEQ ID NO: 27.

In some embodiments, the VH domain of the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO:9 and/or the VL domain of the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 11.

In some embodiments, the VH domain of the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO:13 and/or the VL domain of the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 15.

In some embodiments, the VH domain of the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO:17 and/or the VL domain of the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 19.

In some embodiments, the VH domain of the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO:21 and/or the VL domain of the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 23.

In some embodiments, the VH domain of the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO:29 and/or the VL domain of the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 23.

In some embodiments, the VH domain of the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO:25 and/or the VL domain of the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 27.

In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies that bind, such asspecifically bind, mesothelin are humanized antibodies.

In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibody that binds, such asspecifically binds, mesothelin is a Fab fragment, a Fab′ fragment, aF(ab)′₂ fragment, a single chain variable fragment (scFv), or adisulfide stabilized variable fragment (dsFv). In other embodiments, theantibody is an immunoglobulin molecule. In particular examples, theantibody is an IgG.

In some embodiments, the disclosed antibodies bind mesothelin (solubleor cell-surface mesothelin) with a dissociation constant (K_(d)) ofabout 1 nM or less. In several embodiments, the monoclonal antibodiesbind mesothelin with a binding affinity of about 1 nM, about 0.9 nM,about 0.8 nM, about 0.7 nM, about 0.6 nM, about 0.5 nM, about 0.4 nM,about 0.3 nM, about 0.2 nM, about 0.15 nM or about 0.1 nM.

The monoclonal antibodies disclosed herein can be labeled, such as witha fluorescent, enzymatic, or radioactive label.

Further provided herein are compositions comprising a therapeuticallyeffective amount of the disclosed antibodies and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier.

Immunoconjugates comprising the monoclonal antibodies disclosed hereinand an effector molecule are also provided. The effector molecule canbe, for example, a toxin or a detectable label. In some embodiments, theimmunoconjugate comprises the VH and/or VL domain of one of theanti-mesothelin antibodies disclosed herein and a toxin, such as PE or avariant therefore, such as PE38. In particular examples, theimmunoconjugate comprises the VH and VL of YP223, YP218, YP3, YP187 orYP158 fused to PE38. In some examples, the toxin is PE38 comprising theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. In particular non-limitingexamples, the immunoconjugate comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 35, SEQ ID NO: 37 or SEQ ID NO: 39.Examples of immunoconjugates are discussed in greater detail in sectionVI below.

Also provided herein are compositions comprising a therapeuticallyeffective amount of the immunoconjugates disclosed herein and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Further provided herein are isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding thedisclosed monoclonal antibodies. In some embodiments, the nucleotidesequence encoding the VH domain of the monoclonal antibody comprises atleast a portion of SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ IDNO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 28 or SEQ ID NO: 24, such as the portion encoding oneor more CDRs of SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO: 28 or SEQ ID NO: 24. In some examples, the VH domain ofthe monoclonal antibody comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 28 or SEQ IDNO: 24. In some embodiments, the nucleotide sequence encoding the VLdomain of the monoclonal antibody comprises at least a portion of SEQ IDNO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 22 or SEQ ID NO: 26,such as a portion encoding one or more CDRs of SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 22 or SEQ ID NO: 26. In some examples, theVL domain of the human monoclonal antibody comprises the nucleotidesequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 22or SEQ ID NO: 26.

In some examples, the isolated nucleic acid molecule is operably linkedto a promoter.

Also provided are expression vectors comprising the isolated nucleicacid molecules disclosed herein. Isolated host cells comprising thenucleic acid molecules or vectors are also provided herein. In someexamples, the host cell is a T cell, such as a cytotoxic T lymphocyte(CTL).

V. Antibodies and Antibody Fragments

The monoclonal antibodies disclosed herein can be of any isotype. Themonoclonal antibody can be, for example, an IgM or an IgG antibody, suchas IgG₁ or an IgG₂. The class of an antibody that specifically bindsmesothelin can be switched with another (for example, IgG can beswitched to IgM), according to well-known procedures. Class switchingcan also be used to convert one IgG subclass to another, such as fromIgG₁ to IgG₂.

Antibody fragments are also encompassed by the present disclosure, suchas single-domain antibodies (e.g., VH domain antibodies), Fab, F(ab′)2,and Fv. These antibody fragments retain the ability to selectively bindwith the antigen. These fragments include:

(1) Fab, the fragment which contains a monovalent antigen-bindingfragment of an antibody molecule, can be produced by digestion of wholeantibody with the enzyme papain to yield an intact light chain and aportion of one heavy chain;

(2) Fab′, the fragment of an antibody molecule can be obtained bytreating whole antibody with pepsin, followed by reduction, to yield anintact light chain and a portion of the heavy chain; two Fab′ fragmentsare obtained per antibody molecule;

(3) (Fab′)₂, the fragment of the antibody that can be obtained bytreating whole antibody with the enzyme pepsin without subsequentreduction; F(ab′)2 is a dimer of two Fab′ fragments held together by twodisulfide bonds;

(4) Fv, a genetically engineered fragment containing the variable regionof the light chain and the variable region of the heavy chain expressedas two chains;

(5) Single chain antibody (such as scFv), a genetically engineeredmolecule containing the variable region of the light chain, the variableregion of the heavy chain, linked by a suitable polypeptide linker as agenetically fused single chain molecule;

(6) A dimer of a single chain antibody (scFV2), defined as a dimer of ascFV (also known as a “miniantibody”); and

(7) VH single-domain antibody, an antibody fragment consisting of theheavy chain variable domain.

Methods of making these fragments are known in the art (see for example,Harlow and Lane, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring HarborLaboratory, New York, 1988).

In some cases, antibody fragments can be prepared by proteolytichydrolysis of the antibody or by expression in a host cell (such as E.coli) of DNA encoding the fragment. Antibody fragments can be obtainedby pepsin or papain digestion of whole antibodies by conventionalmethods. For example, antibody fragments can be produced by enzymaticcleavage of antibodies with pepsin to provide a 5S fragment denotedF(ab′)2. This fragment can be further cleaved using a thiol reducingagent, and optionally a blocking group for the sulfhydryl groupsresulting from cleavage of disulfide linkages, to produce 3.5S Fab′monovalent fragments. Alternatively, an enzymatic cleavage using pepsinproduces two monovalent Fab′ fragments and an Fc fragment directly (seeU.S. Pat. No. 4,036,945 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,331,647).

Other methods of cleaving antibodies, such as separation of heavy chainsto form monovalent light-heavy chain fragments, further cleavage offragments, or other enzymatic, chemical, or genetic techniques may alsobe used, so long as the fragments bind to the antigen that is recognizedby the intact antibody.

One of skill will realize that conservative variants of the antibodiescan be produced. Such conservative variants employed in antibodyfragments, such as dsFv fragments or in scFv fragments, will retaincritical amino acid residues necessary for correct folding andstabilizing between the V_(H) and the V_(L) regions, and will retain thecharge characteristics of the residues in order to preserve the low pIand low toxicity of the molecules Amino acid substitutions (such as atmost one, at most two, at most three, at most four, or at most fiveamino acid substitutions) can be made in the V_(H) and/or the V_(L)regions to increase yield. Conservative amino acid substitution tablesproviding functionally similar amino acids are well known to one ofordinary skill in the art. The following six groups are examples ofamino acids that are considered to be conservative substitutions for oneanother:

-   -   1) Alanine (A), Serine (5), Threonine (T);    -   2) Aspartic acid (D), Glutamic acid (E);    -   3) Asparagine (N), Glutamine (Q);    -   4) Arginine (R), Lysine (K);    -   5) Isoleucine (I), Leucine (L), Methionine (M), Valine (V); and    -   6) Phenylalanine (F), Tyrosine (Y), Tryptophan (W).

VI. Immunoconjugates

The disclosed monoclonal antibodies specific for mesothelin or afragment thereof can be conjugated to a therapeutic agent or effectormolecule Immunoconjugates include, but are not limited to, molecules inwhich there is a covalent linkage of a therapeutic agent to an antibody.A therapeutic agent is an agent with a particular biological activitydirected against a particular target molecule or a cell bearing a targetmolecule. One of skill in the art will appreciate that therapeuticagents can include various drugs such as vinblastine, daunomycin and thelike, cytotoxins such as native or modified Pseudomonas exotoxin orDiphtheria toxin, encapsulating agents (such as liposomes) whichthemselves contain pharmacological compositions, radioactive agents suchas ¹²⁵I, ³²P, ¹⁴C, ³H and ³⁵S and other labels, target moieties andligands.

The choice of a particular therapeutic agent depends on the particulartarget molecule or cell, and the desired biological effect. Thus, forexample, the therapeutic agent can be a cytotoxin that is used to bringabout the death of a particular target cell (such as a tumor cell).Conversely, where it is desired to invoke a non-lethal biologicalresponse, the therapeutic agent can be conjugated to a non-lethalpharmacological agent or a liposome containing a non-lethalpharmacological agent.

With the therapeutic agents and antibodies described herein, one ofskill can readily construct a variety of clones containing functionallyequivalent nucleic acids, such as nucleic acids which differ in sequencebut which encode the same effector moiety or antibody sequence. Thus,the present disclosure provides nucleic acids encoding antibodies andconjugates and fusion proteins thereof.

Effector molecules can be linked to an antibody of interest using anynumber of means known to those of skill in the art. Both covalent andnoncovalent attachment means may be used. The procedure for attaching aneffector molecule to an antibody varies according to the chemicalstructure of the effector. Polypeptides typically contain a variety offunctional groups; such as carboxylic acid (COOH), free amine (—NH₂) orsulfhydryl (—SH) groups, which are available for reaction with asuitable functional group on an antibody to result in the binding of theeffector molecule. Alternatively, the antibody is derivatized to exposeor attach additional reactive functional groups. The derivatization mayinvolve attachment of any of a number of known linker molecules. Thelinker can be any molecule used to join the antibody to the effectormolecule. The linker is capable of forming covalent bonds to both theantibody and to the effector molecule. Suitable linkers are well knownto those of skill in the art and include, but are not limited to,straight or branched-chain carbon linkers, heterocyclic carbon linkers,or peptide linkers. Where the antibody and the effector molecule arepolypeptides, the linkers may be joined to the constituent amino acidsthrough their side groups (such as through a disulfide linkage tocysteine) or to the alpha carbon amino and carboxyl groups of theterminal amino acids.

In some circumstances, it is desirable to free the effector moleculefrom the antibody when the immunoconjugate has reached its target site.Therefore, in these circumstances, immunoconjugates will compriselinkages that are cleavable in the vicinity of the target site. Cleavageof the linker to release the effector molecule from the antibody may beprompted by enzymatic activity or conditions to which theimmunoconjugate is subjected either inside the target cell or in thevicinity of the target site.

In view of the large number of methods that have been reported forattaching a variety of radiodiagnostic compounds, radiotherapeuticcompounds, label (such as enzymes or fluorescent molecules) drugs,toxins, and other agents to antibodies one skilled in the art will beable to determine a suitable method for attaching a given agent to anantibody or other polypeptide.

The antibodies or antibody fragments disclosed herein can be derivatizedor linked to another molecule (such as another peptide or protein). Ingeneral, the antibodies or portion thereof is derivatized such that thebinding to the target antigen is not affected adversely by thederivatization or labeling. For example, the antibody can befunctionally linked (by chemical coupling, genetic fusion, noncovalentassociation or otherwise) to one or more other molecular entities, suchas another antibody (for example, a bispecific antibody or a diabody), adetection agent, a pharmaceutical agent, and/or a protein or peptidethat can mediate association of the antibody or antibody portion withanother molecule (such as a streptavidin core region or a polyhistidinetag).

One type of derivatized antibody is produced by cross-linking two ormore antibodies (of the same type or of different types, such as tocreate bispecific antibodies). Suitable crosslinkers include those thatare heterobifunctional, having two distinctly reactive groups separatedby an appropriate spacer (such asm-maleimidobenzoyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester) or homobifunctional (suchas disuccinimidyl suberate). Such linkers are commercially available.

An antibody that binds (for example specifically binds) mesothelin or afragment thereof can be labeled with a detectable moiety. Usefuldetection agents include fluorescent compounds, including fluorescein,fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine,5-dimethylamine-1-napthalenesulfonyl chloride, phycoerythrin, lanthanidephosphors and the like. Bioluminescent markers are also of use, such asluciferase, Green fluorescent protein (GFP), Yellow fluorescent protein(YFP). An antibody can also be labeled with enzymes that are useful fordetection, such as horseradish peroxidase, β-galactosidase, luciferase,alkaline phosphatase, glucose oxidase and the like. When an antibody islabeled with a detectable enzyme, it can be detected by addingadditional reagents that the enzyme uses to produce a reaction productthat can be discerned. For example, when the agent horseradishperoxidase is present the addition of hydrogen peroxide anddiaminobenzidine leads to a colored reaction product, which is visuallydetectable. An antibody may also be labeled with biotin, and detectedthrough indirect measurement of avidin or streptavidin binding. Itshould be noted that the avidin itself can be labeled with an enzyme ora fluorescent label.

An antibody may be labeled with a magnetic agent, such as gadolinium.Antibodies can also be labeled with lanthanides (such as europium anddysprosium), and manganese. Paramagnetic particles such assuperparamagnetic iron oxide are also of use as labels. An antibody mayalso be labeled with a predetermined polypeptide epitopes recognized bya secondary reporter (such as leucine zipper pair sequences, bindingsites for secondary antibodies, metal binding domains, epitope tags). Insome embodiments, labels are attached by spacer arms of various lengthsto reduce potential steric hindrance.

An antibody can also be labeled with a radiolabeled amino acid. Theradiolabel may be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Forinstance, the radiolabel may be used to detect mesothelin by x-ray,emission spectra, or other diagnostic techniques. Examples of labels forpolypeptides include, but are not limited to, the followingradioisotopes or radionucleotides: ³H, ¹⁴C, ¹⁵N, ³⁵S, ⁹⁰Y, ⁹⁹Tc, ¹¹¹In,¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I.

An antibody can also be derivatized with a chemical group such aspolyethylene glycol (PEG), a methyl or ethyl group, or a carbohydrategroup. These groups may be useful to improve the biologicalcharacteristics of the antibody, such as to increase serum half-life orto increase tissue binding.

Toxins can be employed with the monoclonal antibodies described hereinto produce immunotoxins. Exemplary toxins include ricin, abrin,diphtheria toxin and subunits thereof, as well as botulinum toxins Athrough F. These toxins are readily available from commercial sources(for example, Sigma Chemical Company, St. Louis, Mo.). Contemplatedtoxins also include variants of the toxins described herein (see, forexample, see, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,079,163 and 4,689,401). In oneembodiment, the toxin is Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) (U.S. Pat. No.5,602,095). As used herein “Pseudomonas exotoxin” refers to afull-length native (naturally occurring) PE or a PE that has beenmodified. Such modifications can include, but are not limited to,elimination of domain Ia, various amino acid deletions in domains Ib, IIand III, single amino acid substitutions and the addition of one or moresequences at the carboxyl terminus (for example, see Siegall et al., J.Biol. Chem. 264:14256-14261, 1989).

PE employed with the monoclonal antibodies described herein can includethe native sequence, cytotoxic fragments of the native sequence, andconservatively modified variants of native PE and its cytotoxicfragments. Cytotoxic fragments of PE include those which are cytotoxicwith or without subsequent proteolytic or other processing in the targetcell. Cytotoxic fragments of PE include PE40, PE38, and PE35. Foradditional description of PE and variants thereof, see for example, U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,892,827; 5,512,658; 5,602,095; 5,608,039; 5,821,238; and5,854,044; PCT Publication No. WO 99/51643; Pai et al., Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. USA 88:3358-3362, 1991; Kondo et al., J. Biol. Chem.263:9470-9475, 1988; Pastan et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1333:C1-C6,1997.

The full-length PE sequence is set forth herein as SEQ ID NO: 1:AEEAFDLWNECAKACVLDLKDGVRSSRMSVDPAIADTNGQGVLHYSMVLEGGNDALKLAIDNALSITSDGLTIRLEGGVEPNKPVRYSYTRQARGSWSLNWLVPIGHEKPSNIKVFIHELNAGNQLSHMSPIYTIEMGDELLAKLARDATFFVRAHESNEMQPTLAISHAGVSVVMAQTQPRREKRWSEWASGKVLCLLDPLDGVYNYLAQQRCNLDDTWEGKIYRVLAGNPAKHDLDIKPTVISHRLHFPEGGSLAALTAHQACHLPLETFTRHRQPRGWEQLEQCGYPVQRLVALYLAARLSWNQVDQVIRNALASPGSGGDLGEAIREQPEQARLALTLAAAESERFVRQGTGNDEAGAANADVVSLTCPVAAGECAGPADSGDALLERNYPTGAEFLGDGGDVSFSTRGTQNWTVERLLQAHRQLEERGYVFVGYHGTFLEAAQSIVFGGVRARSQDLDAIWRGFYIAGDPALAYGYAQDQEPDARGRIRNGALLRVYVPRSSLPGFYRTSLTLAAPEAAGEVERLIGHPLPLRLDAITGPEEEGGRLETILGWPLAERTVVIPSAIPTDPRNVGGDLDPSSIPDKEQAISALPDY ASQPGKPPREDLKIn some examples, the PE is PE38, comprising the following amino acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 2)PEGGSLAALTAHQACHLPLETFTRHRQPRGWEQLEQCGYPVQRLVALYLAARLSWNQVDQVIRNALASPGSGGDLGEAIREQPEQARLALTLAAAESERFVRQGTGNDEAGAANGPADSGDALLERNYPTGAEFLGDGGDVSFSTRGTQNWTVERLLQAHRQLEERGYVFVGYHGTFLEAAQSIVFGGVRARSQDLDAIWRGFYIAGDPALAYGYAQDQEPDARGRIRNGALLRVYVPRSSLPGFYRTSLTLAAPEAAGEVERLIGHPLPLRLDAITGPEEEGGRLETILGWPLAERTVVIPSAIPTDPRNVGGDLDPSSIPDKEQAISALPDYASQPGKPPREDLK 

Also contemplated herein are protease-resistant PE variants and PEvariants with reduced immunogenicity, such as, but not limited to PE-LR,PE-6X, PE-8X, PE-LR/6X and PE-LR/8X (see, for example, Weldon et al.,Blood 113(16):3792-3800, 2009; Onda et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA105(32):11311-11316, 2008; and PCT Publication Nos. WO 2007/016150, WO2009/032954 and WO 2011/032022, which are herein incorporated byreference).

In some examples, the PE is a variant that is resistant to lysosomaldegradation, such as PE-LR (Weldon et al., Blood 113(16):3792-3800,2009; PCT Publication No. WO 2009/032954) having the following aminoacid sequence:

(SEQ ID NO: 3) RHRQPRGWEQLPTGAEFLGDGGDVSFSTRGTQNWTVERLLQAHRQLEERGYVFVGYHGTFLEAAQSIVFGGVRARSQDLDAIWRGFYIAGDPALAYGYAQDQEPDARGRIRNGALLRVYVPRSSLPGFYRTSLTLAAPEAAGEVERLIGHPLPLRLDAITGPEEEGGRLETILGWPLAERTVVIPSAIPTDPRNVGGDLDPSSIPDKEQAISALPDYASQPGKPPREDLK 

In other examples, the PE is a variant designated PE-LR/6X (PCTPublication No. WO 2011/032022) having the following amino acidsequence:

(SEQ ID NO: 4) RHRQPRGWEQLPTGAEFLGDGGDVSFSTRGTQNWTVERLLQAHRQLEEGGYVFVGYHGTFLEAAQSIVFGGVRARSQDLDAIWAGFYIAGDPALAYGYAQDQEPDAAGRIRNGALLRVYVPRSSLPGFYATSLTLAAPEAAGEVERLIGHPLPLRLDAITGPEESGGRLETILGWPLAERTVVIPSAIPTDPRNVGGDLDPSSIPDSEQAISALPDYASQPGKPPREDLK 

In other examples, the PE variant is PE with reducing immunogenicity,such as a PE with the following sequence:

RHRQPRGWEQLPTGAEFLGDGGXVSFSTRGTQNWTVERLLQAHRQLEEXGYVFVGYHGTFLEAAQSIVFGGVRARSQDLDAIWXGFYIAGDPALAYGYAQDQEPDAXGRIRNGALLRVYVPRSSLPGFYXTSLTLAAPEAAGEVERLIGHPLPLRLDAITGPEEXGGRLETILGWPLAERTVVIPSAIPTDPRNVGGDLDPSSIPDXEXAISALPDYASQPGKPPREDLK (X = G, A or S;  SEQ ID NO: 5)

In other examples, the PE is a variant designated PE-LR/8M (PCTPublication No. WO 2011/032022) having the following amino acidsequence:

(SEQ ID NO: 6) RHRQPRGWEQLPTGAEFLGDGGAVSFSTRGTQNWTVERLLQAHRQLEEGGYVFVGYHGTFLEAAQSIVFGGVRARSQDLDAIWAGFYIAGDPALAYGYAQDQEPDAAGRIRNGALLRVYVPRSSLPGFYATSLTLAAPEAAGEVERLIGHPLPLRLDAITGPEESGGRLETILGWPLAERTVVIPSAIPTDPRNVGGDLDPSSIPDSEAAISALPDYASQPGKPPREDLK 

Substitutions of PE are defined herein by reference to the amino acidsequence of full-length PE set forth herein as SEQ ID NO: 1.Substitutions of PE are described herein by reference to the amino acidresidue present at a particular position, followed by the amino acidwith which that residue has been replaced in the particularsubstitution. In this regard, the positions of the amino acid sequenceof a particular embodiment of a PE are referred to herein as thepositions of the amino acid sequence of the particular embodiment, or asthe positions as defined by SEQ ID NO: 1. Thus, substitutions refer to areplacement of an amino acid residue in the amino acid sequence of aparticular embodiment of a PE corresponding to the indicated position ofthe 613-amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 with the understanding thatthe actual positions in the respective amino acid sequence may bedifferent. In the event of multiple substitutions at two or morepositions, the two or more substitutions may be the same ordifferent—each amino acid residue of the two or more amino acid residuesbeing substituted can be substituted with the same or different aminoacid residue unless explicitly indicated otherwise.

Modification of PE may occur in any previously described variant,including cytotoxic fragments of PE (for example, PE38, PE-LR andPE-LR/8M). Modified PEs may include any substitution(s), as describedabove, for one or more amino acid residues within one or more T-cellepitopes and/or B cell epitopes of PE.

In particular examples disclosed herein, the immunoconjugate comprisesthe amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 35,SEQ ID NO: 37 or SEQ ID NO: 39, and/or is encoded by the nucleic acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 30, SEQ ID NO: 32, SEQ ID NO: 34, SEQ ID NO: 36or SEQ ID NO: 38.

The antibodies described herein can also be used to target any number ofdifferent diagnostic or therapeutic compounds to cells expressingmesothelin on their surface. Thus, an antibody of the present disclosurecan be attached directly or via a linker to a drug that is to bedelivered directly to cells expressing cell-surface mesothelin. This canbe done for therapeutic, diagnostic or research purposes. Therapeuticagents include such compounds as nucleic acids, proteins, peptides,amino acids or derivatives, glycoproteins, radioisotopes, lipids,carbohydrates, or recombinant viruses. Nucleic acid therapeutic anddiagnostic moieties include antisense nucleic acids, derivatizedoligonucleotides for covalent cross-linking with single or duplex DNA,and triplex forming oligonucleotides.

Alternatively, the molecule linked to an anti-mesothelin antibody can bean encapsulation system, such as a liposome or micelle that contains atherapeutic composition such as a drug, a nucleic acid (for example, anantisense nucleic acid), or another therapeutic moiety that ispreferably shielded from direct exposure to the circulatory system.Means of preparing liposomes attached to antibodies are well known tothose of skill in the art (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,735;Connor et al., Pharm. Ther. 28:341-365, 1985).

Antibodies described herein can also be covalently or non-covalentlylinked to a detectable label. Detectable labels suitable for such useinclude any composition detectable by spectroscopic, photochemical,biochemical, immunochemical, electrical, optical or chemical means.Useful labels include magnetic beads, fluorescent dyes (for example,fluorescein isothiocyanate, Texas red, rhodamine, green fluorescentprotein, and the like), radiolabels (for example, ³H, ¹²⁵I, ³⁵S, ¹⁴C, or³²P), enzymes (such as horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase andothers commonly used in an ELISA), and colorimetric labels such ascolloidal gold or colored glass or plastic (such as polystyrene,polypropylene, latex, and the like) beads.

Means of detecting such labels are well known to those of skill in theart. Thus, for example, radiolabels may be detected using photographicfilm or scintillation counters, fluorescent markers may be detectedusing a photodetector to detect emitted illumination. Enzymatic labelsare typically detected by providing the enzyme with a substrate anddetecting the reaction product produced by the action of the enzyme onthe substrate, and colorimetric labels are detected by simplyvisualizing the colored label.

VII. Compositions and Methods of Use

Compositions are provided that include one or more of the disclosedantibodies that bind (for example specifically bind) mesothelin in acarrier. Compositions comprising immunoconjugates or immunotoxins arealso provided. The compositions can be prepared in unit dosage forms foradministration to a subject. The amount and timing of administration areat the discretion of the treating clinician to achieve the desiredoutcome. The antibody can be formulated for systemic or local (such asintra-tumor) administration. In one example, the antibody is formulatedfor parenteral administration, such as intravenous administration.

The compositions for administration can include a solution of theantibody dissolved in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as anaqueous carrier. A variety of aqueous carriers can be used, for example,buffered saline and the like. These solutions are sterile and generallyfree of undesirable matter. These compositions may be sterilized byconventional, well known sterilization techniques. The compositions maycontain pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances as required toapproximate physiological conditions such as pH adjusting and bufferingagents, toxicity adjusting agents and the like, for example, sodiumacetate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, sodiumlactate and the like. The concentration of antibody in theseformulations can vary widely, and will be selected primarily based onfluid volumes, viscosities, body weight and the like in accordance withthe particular mode of administration selected and the subject's needs.

A typical pharmaceutical composition for intravenous administrationincludes about 0.1 to 10 mg of antibody per subject per day. Dosagesfrom 0.1 up to about 100 mg per subject per day may be used,particularly if the agent is administered to a secluded site and notinto the circulatory or lymph system, such as into a body cavity or intoa lumen of an organ. Actual methods for preparing administrablecompositions will be known or apparent to those skilled in the art andare described in more detail in such publications as Remington'sPharmaceutical Science, 19th ed., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa.(1995).

Antibodies may be provided in lyophilized form and rehydrated withsterile water before administration, although they are also provided insterile solutions of known concentration. The antibody solution is thenadded to an infusion bag containing 0.9% sodium chloride, USP, and insome cases administered at a dosage of from 0.5 to 15 mg/kg of bodyweight. Considerable experience is available in the art in theadministration of antibody drugs, which have been marketed in the U.S.since the approval of RITUXAN® in 1997. Antibodies can be administeredby slow infusion, rather than in an intravenous push or bolus. In oneexample, a higher loading dose is administered, with subsequent,maintenance doses being administered at a lower level. For example, aninitial loading dose of 4 mg/kg may be infused over a period of some 90minutes, followed by weekly maintenance doses for 4-8 weeks of 2 mg/kginfused over a 30 minute period if the previous dose was well tolerated.

Controlled release parenteral formulations can be made as implants, oilyinjections, or as particulate systems. For a broad overview of proteindelivery systems see, Banga, A. J., Therapeutic Peptides and Proteins:Formulation, Processing, and Delivery Systems, Technomic PublishingCompany, Inc., Lancaster, Pa., (1995). Particulate systems includemicrospheres, microparticles, microcapsules, nanocapsules, nanospheres,and nanoparticles. Microcapsules contain the therapeutic protein, suchas a cytotoxin or a drug, as a central core. In microspheres thetherapeutic is dispersed throughout the particle. Particles,microspheres, and microcapsules smaller than about 1 μm are generallyreferred to as nanoparticles, nanospheres, and nanocapsules,respectively. Capillaries have a diameter of approximately 5 μm so thatonly nanoparticles are administered intravenously. Microparticles aretypically around 100 μm in diameter and are administered subcutaneouslyor intramuscularly. See, for example, Kreuter, J., Colloidal DrugDelivery Systems, J. Kreuter, ed., Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y.,pp. 219-342 (1994); and Tice & Tabibi, Treatise on Controlled DrugDelivery, A. Kydonieus, ed., Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, N.Y., pp.315-339, (1992).

Polymers can be used for ion-controlled release of the antibodycompositions disclosed herein. Various degradable and nondegradablepolymeric matrices for use in controlled drug delivery are known in theart (Langer, Accounts Chem. Res. 26:537-542, 1993). For example, theblock copolymer, polaxamer 407, exists as a viscous yet mobile liquid atlow temperatures but forms a semisolid gel at body temperature. It hasbeen shown to be an effective vehicle for formulation and sustaineddelivery of recombinant interleukin-2 and urease (Johnston et al.,Pharm. Res. 9:425-434, 1992; and Pec et al., J. Parent. Sci. Tech.44(2):58-65, 1990). Alternatively, hydroxyapatite has been used as amicrocarrier for controlled release of proteins (Ijntema et al., Int. J.Pharm. 112:215-224, 1994). In yet another aspect, liposomes are used forcontrolled release as well as drug targeting of the lipid-capsulateddrug (Betageri et al., Liposome Drug Delivery Systems, TechnomicPublishing Co., Inc., Lancaster, Pa. (1993)). Numerous additionalsystems for controlled delivery of therapeutic proteins are known (seeU.S. Pat. No. 5,055,303; U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,837; U.S. Pat. No.4,235,871; U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,728; U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,028; U.S. Pat.No. 4,957,735; U.S. Pat. No. 5,019,369; U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,303; U.S.Pat. No. 5,514,670; U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,797; U.S. Pat. No. 5,268,164;U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,697; U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,505; U.S. Pat. No.5,506,206; U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,961; U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,342 and U.S.Pat. No. 5,534,496).

A. Therapeutic Methods

The antibodies, compositions and immunoconjugates disclosed herein canbe administered to slow or inhibit the growth of tumor cells or inhibitthe metastasis of tumor cells, such as mesothelioma, prostate cancer,lung cancer, stomach cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer,cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer or ovarian cancer. In theseapplications, a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody isadministered to a subject in an amount sufficient to inhibit growth,replication or metastasis of cancer cells, or to inhibit a sign or asymptom of the cancer. Suitable subjects may include those diagnosedwith a cancer that expresses mesothelin, such as, but not limited to,mesothelioma, prostate cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, squamouscell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer orovarian cancer.

In one non-limiting embodiment, provided herein is a method of treatinga subject with cancer by selecting a subject with a cancer thatexpresses mesothelin and administering to the subject a therapeuticallyeffective amount of an antibody, composition or immunoconjugatedisclosed herein.

Also provided herein is a method of inhibiting tumor growth ormetastasis by selecting a subject with a cancer that expressesmesothelin and administering to the subject a therapeutically effectiveamount of an antibody, composition or immunoconjugate disclosed herein.

A therapeutically effective amount of a mesothelin-specific antibody orimmunoconjugate will depend upon the severity of the disease and thegeneral state of the patient's health. A therapeutically effectiveamount of the antibody is that which provides either subjective reliefof a symptom(s) or an objectively identifiable improvement as noted bythe clinician or other qualified observer.

Administration of the antibodies and immunoconjugates disclosed hereincan also be accompanied by administration of other anti-cancer agents ortherapeutic treatments (such as surgical resection of a tumor). Anysuitable anti-cancer agent can be administered in combination with theantibodies, compositions and immunoconjugates disclosed herein.Exemplary anti-cancer agents include, but are not limited to,chemotherapeutic agents, such as, for example, mitotic inhibitors,alkylating agents, anti-metabolites, intercalating antibiotics, growthfactor inhibitors, cell cycle inhibitors, enzymes, topoisomeraseinhibitors, anti-survival agents, biological response modifiers,anti-hormones (e.g. anti-androgens) and anti-angiogenesis agents. Otheranti-cancer treatments include radiation therapy and other antibodiesthat specifically target cancer cells.

Non-limiting examples of alkylating agents include nitrogen mustards(such as mechlorethamine, cyclophosphamide, melphalan, uracil mustard orchlorambucil), alkyl sulfonates (such as busulfan), nitrosoureas (suchas carmustine, lomustine, semustine, streptozocin, or dacarbazine).

Non-limiting examples of antimetabolites include folic acid analogs(such as methotrexate), pyrimidine analogs (such as 5-FU or cytarabine),and purine analogs, such as mercaptopurine or thioguanine.

Non-limiting examples of natural products include vinca alkaloids (suchas vinblastine, vincristine, or vindesine), epipodophyllotoxins (such asetoposide or teniposide), antibiotics (such as dactinomycin,daunorubicin, doxorubicin, bleomycin, plicamycin, or mitomycin C), andenzymes (such as L-asparaginase).

Non-limiting examples of miscellaneous agents include platinumcoordination complexes (such as cis-diamine-dichloroplatinum II alsoknown as cisplatin), substituted ureas (such as hydroxyurea), methylhydrazine derivatives (such as procarbazine), and adrenocroticalsuppressants (such as mitotane and aminoglutethimide).

Non-limiting examples of hormones and antagonists includeadrenocorticosteroids (such as prednisone), progestins (such ashydroxyprogesterone caproate, medroxyprogesterone acetate, and magestrolacetate), estrogens (such as diethylstilbestrol and ethinyl estradiol),antiestrogens (such as tamoxifen), and androgens (such as testeroneproprionate and fluoxymesterone). Examples of the most commonly usedchemotherapy drugs include Adriamycin, Alkeran, Ara-C, BiCNU, Busulfan,CCNU, Carboplatinum, Cisplatinum, Cytoxan, Daunorubicin, DTIC, 5-FU,Fludarabine, Hydrea, Idarubicin, Ifosfamide, Methotrexate, Mithramycin,Mitomycin, Mitoxantrone, Nitrogen Mustard, Taxol (or other taxanes, suchas docetaxel), Velban, Vincristine, VP-16, while some more newer drugsinclude Gemcitabine (Gemzar), Herceptin, Irinotecan (Camptosar, CPT-11),Leustatin, Navelbine, Rituxan STI-571, Taxotere, Topotecan (Hycamtin),Xeloda (Capecitabine), Zevelin and calcitriol.

Non-limiting examples of immunomodulators that can be used includeAS-101 (Wyeth-Ayerst Labs.), bropirimine (Upjohn), gamma interferon(Genentech), GM-CSF (granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor;Genetics Institute), IL-2 (Cetus or Hoffman-LaRoche), human immuneglobulin (Cutter Biological), IMREG (from Imreg of New Orleans, La.),SK&F 106528, and TNF (tumor necrosis factor; Genentech).

Another common treatment for some types of cancer is surgical treatment,for example surgical resection of the cancer or a portion of it. Anotherexample of a treatment is radiotherapy, for example administration ofradioactive material or energy (such as external beam therapy) to thetumor site to help eradicate the tumor or shrink it prior to surgicalresection.

B. Methods for Diagnosis and Detection

Methods are provided herein for detecting expression of mesothelin invitro or in vivo. In some cases, mesothelin expression is detected in abiological sample. The sample can be any sample, including, but notlimited to, tissue from biopsies, autopsies and pathology specimens.Biological samples also include sections of tissues, for example, frozensections taken for histological purposes. Biological samples furtherinclude body fluids, such as blood, serum, plasma, sputum, spinal fluidor urine. A biological sample is typically obtained from a mammal, suchas a human or non-human primate.

In one embodiment, provided is a method of determining if a subject hascancer by contacting a sample from the subject with a monoclonalantibody disclosed herein; and detecting binding of the antibody to thesample. An increase in binding of the antibody to the sample as comparedto binding of the antibody to a control sample identifies the subject ashaving cancer.

In another embodiment, provided is a method of confirming a diagnosis ofcancer in a subject by contacting a sample from a subject diagnosed withcancer with a monoclonal antibody disclosed herein; and detectingbinding of the antibody to the sample. An increase in binding of theantibody to the sample as compared to binding of the antibody to acontrol sample confirms the diagnosis of cancer in the subject.

In some examples of the disclosed methods, the monoclonal antibody isdirectly labeled.

In some examples, the methods further include contacting a secondantibody that specifically binds the monoclonal antibody with thesample; and detecting the binding of the second antibody. An increase inbinding of the second antibody to the sample as compared to binding ofthe second antibody to a control sample detects cancer in the subject orconfirms the diagnosis of cancer in the subject.

In some cases, the cancer is mesothelioma, prostate cancer, lung cancer,stomach cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer,cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer or ovarian cancer, or any other typeof cancer that expresses mesothelin.

In some examples, the control sample is a sample from a subject withoutcancer. In particular examples, the sample is a blood or tissue sample.

In some cases, the antibody that binds (for example specifically binds)mesothelin is directly labeled with a detectable label. In anotherembodiment, the antibody that binds (for example, specifically binds)mesothelin (the first antibody) is unlabeled and a second antibody orother molecule that can bind the antibody that specifically bindsmesothelin is labeled. As is well known to one of skill in the art, asecond antibody is chosen that is able to specifically bind the specificspecies and class of the first antibody. For example, if the firstantibody is a human IgG, then the secondary antibody may be ananti-human-IgG. Other molecules that can bind to antibodies include,without limitation, Protein A and Protein G, both of which are availablecommercially.

Suitable labels for the antibody or secondary antibody are describedabove, and include various enzymes, prosthetic groups, fluorescentmaterials, luminescent materials, magnetic agents and radioactivematerials. Non-limiting examples of suitable enzymes include horseradishperoxidase, alkaline phosphatase, beta-galactosidase, oracetylcholinesterase. Non-limiting examples of suitable prosthetic groupcomplexes include streptavidin/biotin and avidin/biotin. Non-limitingexamples of suitable fluorescent materials include umbelliferone,fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine,dichlorotriazinylamine fluorescein, dansyl chloride or phycoerythrin. Anon-limiting exemplary luminescent material is luminol; a non-limitingexemplary a magnetic agent is gadolinium, and non-limiting exemplaryradioactive labels include ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, ³⁵S or ³H.

In an alternative embodiment, mesothelin can be assayed in a biologicalsample by a competition immunoassay utilizing mesothelin standardslabeled with a detectable substance and an unlabeled antibody thatspecifically binds mesothelin. In this assay, the biological sample, thelabeled mesothelin standards and the antibody that specifically bindmesothelin are combined and the amount of labeled mesothelin standardbound to the unlabeled antibody is determined. The amount of mesothelinin the biological sample is inversely proportional to the amount oflabeled mesothelin standard bound to the antibody that specificallybinds mesothelin.

The immunoassays and method disclosed herein can be used for a number ofpurposes. In one embodiment, the antibody that specifically bindsmesothelin may be used to detect the production of mesothelin in cellsin cell culture. In another embodiment, the antibody can be used todetect the amount of mesothelin in a biological sample, such as a tissuesample, or a blood or serum sample. In some examples, the mesothelin iscell-surface mesothelin. In other examples, the mesothelin is solublemesothelin (e.g. mesothelin in a cell culture supernatant or solublemesothelin in a body fluid sample, such as a blood or serum sample).

In one embodiment, a kit is provided for detecting mesothelin in abiological sample, such as a blood sample or tissue sample. For example,to confirm a cancer diagnosis in a subject, a biopsy can be performed toobtain a tissue sample for histological examination. Alternatively, ablood sample can be obtained to detect the presence of solublemesothelin protein or fragment. Kits for detecting a polypeptide willtypically comprise a monoclonal antibody that specifically bindsmesothelin, such as any of the antibodies disclosed herein. In someembodiments, an antibody fragment, such as an scFv fragment, a VHdomain, or a Fab is included in the kit. In a further embodiment, theantibody is labeled (for example, with a fluorescent, radioactive, or anenzymatic label).

In one embodiment, a kit includes instructional materials disclosingmeans of use of an antibody that binds mesothelin. The instructionalmaterials may be written, in an electronic form (such as a computerdiskette or compact disk) or may be visual (such as video files). Thekits may also include additional components to facilitate the particularapplication for which the kit is designed. Thus, for example, the kitmay additionally contain means of detecting a label (such as enzymesubstrates for enzymatic labels, filter sets to detect fluorescentlabels, appropriate secondary labels such as a secondary antibody, orthe like). The kits may additionally include buffers and other reagentsroutinely used for the practice of a particular method. Such kits andappropriate contents are well known to those of skill in the art.

In one embodiment, the diagnostic kit comprises an immunoassay. Althoughthe details of the immunoassays may vary with the particular formatemployed, the method of detecting mesothelin in a biological samplegenerally includes the steps of contacting the biological sample with anantibody which specifically reacts, under immunologically reactiveconditions, to a mesothelin polypeptide. The antibody is allowed tospecifically bind under immunologically reactive conditions to form animmune complex, and the presence of the immune complex (bound antibody)is detected directly or indirectly.

Methods of determining the presence or absence of a cell surface markerare well known in the art. For example, the antibodies can be conjugatedto other compounds including, but not limited to, enzymes, magneticbeads, colloidal magnetic beads, haptens, fluorochromes, metalcompounds, radioactive compounds or drugs. The antibodies can also beutilized in immunoassays such as but not limited to radioimmunoassays(RIAs), ELISA, or immunohistochemical assays.

The antibodies can also be used for fluorescence activated cell sorting(FACS). FACS employs a plurality of color channels, low angle and obtuselight-scattering detection channels, and impedance channels, among othermore sophisticated levels of detection, to separate or sort cells (seeU.S. Pat. No. 5,061,620). Any of the monoclonal antibodies that bindmesothelin, as disclosed herein, can be used in these assays. Thus, theantibodies can be used in a conventional immunoassay, including, withoutlimitation, an ELISA, an RIA, FACS, tissue immunohistochemistry, Westernblot or immunoprecipitation.

C. Engineered Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTLs)

The disclosed monoclonal antibodies can also be used to produce CTLsengineered to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs; also known aschimeric T cell receptors, artificial T cell receptors or chimericimmunoreceptors). Generally, CARs include a binding moiety, anextracellular hinge and spacer element, a transmembrane region and anendodomain that performs signaling functions (Cartellieri et al., JBiomed Biotechnol 2010:956304, 2010). In many instances, the bindingmoiety is an antigen binding fragment of a monoclonal antibody, such asa scFv. Several different endodomains have been used to generate CARs.For example, the endodomain can consist of a signaling chain having animmunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM), such as CD3ζ orFcεRIγ. In some instances, the endodomain further includes theintracellular portion of at least one additional co-stimulatory domain,such as CD28 and/or CD137.

CTLs expressing CARs can be used to target a specific cell type, such asa tumor cell. Thus, the monoclonal antibodies disclosed herein can beused to engineer CTLs that express a CAR containing an antigen-bindingfragment of a mesothelin-specific antibody, thereby targeting theengineered CTLs to mesothelin-expressing tumor cells. Engineered T cellshave previously used for adoptive therapy for some types of cancer (see,for example, Park et al., Mol Ther 15(4):825-833, 2007). The use of Tcells expressing CARs is more universal than standard CTL-basedimmunotherapy because CTLs expressing CARs are HLA unrestricted and cantherefore be used for any patient having a tumor that expressed thetarget antigen.

Accordingly, provided herein are CARs comprising a mesothelin-specificantibody binding fragment, such as a scFv. Also provided are isolatednucleic acid molecules and vectors encoding the CARs, and host cells,such as CTLs, comprising the nucleic acid molecules or vectors. CTLsexpressing CARs comprised of a mesothelin-specific antibody bindingfragment can be used for the treatment of cancers that expressmesothelin, such as mesothelioma, prostate cancer, lung cancer, stomachcancer, squamous cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma,breast cancer or ovarian cancer. Thus, provided herein are methods oftreating a subject with cancer by selecting a subject with a cancer thatexpresses mesothelin, and administering to the subject a therapeuticallyeffective amount of the CTLs expressing the mesothelin-targeted CARs.

D. Bispecific Antibodies

Bispecific antibodies are recombinant proteins comprised ofantigen-binding fragments of two different monoclonal antibodies. Thus,bispecific antibodies bind two different antigens. Bispecific antibodiescan be used for cancer immunotherapy by simultaneously targeting bothCTLs (such as a CTL receptor component such as CD3) and a tumor antigen.The mesothelin-specific monoclonal antibodies disclosed herein can beused to generate bispecific antibodies that target both mesothelin andCTLs, thereby providing a means to treat mesothelin-expressing cancers.

Provided herein are bispecific monoclonal antibodies comprising amesothelin-specific monoclonal antibody, or antigen-binding fragmentthereof. In some embodiments, the bispecific monoclonal antibody furthercomprises a monoclonal antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof,that specifically binds a component of the T cell receptor, such as CD3.Also provided are isolated nucleic acid molecules and vectors encodingthe bispecific antibodies, and host cells comprising the nucleic acidmolecules or vectors. Bispecific antibodies comprising amesothelin-specific antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, canbe used for the treatment of cancers that express mesothelin, such asmesothelioma, prostate cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, squamouscell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer orovarian cancer. Thus, provided herein are methods of treating a subjectwith cancer by selecting a subject with a cancer that expressesmesothelin, and administering to the subject a therapeutically effectiveamount of the mesothelin-targeting bispecific antibody.

The following examples are provided to illustrate certain particularfeatures and/or embodiments. These examples should not be construed tolimit the disclosure to the particular features or embodimentsdescribed.

EXAMPLES Example 1: Identification and Characterization of RabbitMonoclonal Antibodies Specific for Mesothelin

This example describes the identification of several rabbit monoclonalantibodies that specifically bind Region II, Region III or aconformational epitope of mesothelin. Characterization of the antibodiesconfirmed they do not compete for binding with currentmesothelin-specific therapeutic antibodies, including SS1P andMORAb-009, which bind Region I of cell-surface mesothelin.

Background

The structure of cell-surface mesothelin is depicted in FIG. 1. Allanti-mesothelin therapeutic antibodies generated to date recognizeepitopes within the highly immunogenic N-terminal Region I ofcell-surface mesothelin, which binds mucin MUC16/CA125. Autoantibodies,or soluble MUC16/CA125 in patients may sequester anti-Region Iantibodies, limiting their anti-cancer efficacy. Furthermore, whenmeasuring soluble mesothelin for follow-up of patients in clinicaltrials treated with MORAb-009 (amatuximab), the FDA approved MesoMark™kit fails to detect serum mesothelin because it forms a complex withMORAb-009. The epitope of MORAb-009 overlaps that of an anti-Region Iantibody used in MesoMark™. Thus, for both diagnostic and therapeuticpurposes, it is desirable to identify a high-affinitymesothelin-specific monoclonal antibody that does not bind Region I ofmesothelin.

Discovery of Rabbit mAbs Specific for Various Domains of Mesothelin

To identify mesothelin-specific monoclonal antibodies that do notcompete for binding with Region I antibodies, 232 rabbit mAbs wereselected based on their ELISA binding signal to mesothelin protein. Todo this, three mesothelin fragments were produced: Region I (residues296-390), Region II (residues 391-486) and Region III (residues 487-598)(SEQ ID NO: 7; Kaneko et al., J Biol Chem 284: 3739-3749, 2009). Themesothelin fragments were used to select domain-specific rabbit mAbs byELISA. Of the clones screened, 223 (96%) bound Region I, 5 clones boundRegion II and 3 clones bound Region III. In addition, one clone thatbinds a confirmation sensitive epitope was identified.

Region I, Region II, Region III and confirmation sensitive mAb cloneswere evaluated by ELISA. ELISA plates were coated with full-lengthmesothelin, or Region I, Region II or Region III mesothelin fragments.Rabbit hybridoma supernatants were added to the ELISA plates and rabbitmAb binding to mesothelin or its fragments was detected by a goatanti-rabbit IgG light chain-specific HRP conjugate (FIGS. 2A-2D). Theresults demonstrated that Region I, Region II and Region III specificantibodies were capable of binding their respective mesothelin fragment,as well as full-length mesothelin. Confirmation-sensitive mAb clonesbound only full-length mesothelin.

To evaluate binding of the rabbit mAb clones to cell-surface mesothelin,FACS analysis using NCI-H226 cells (a mesothelioma cell line) wasperformed. NCI-H226 cells (1×10⁶) were incubated with rabbit hybridomasupernatant (1:2 dilutions in FACS buffer). The binding of rabbit mAbsto cell surface mesothelin was detected by a goat anti-rabbit IgG PEconjugate. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, Region I, Region II, Region III andconfirmation-sensitive mAbs clones were all capable of bindingcell-surface mesothelin.

Characterization of the High-Affinity mAb Binding Sites

Based on the binding data described above, four clones were selected forfurther analysis:

YP187—Region II binder

YP223—Region II binder

YP218—Region III binder

YP3—confirmation sensitive

Sandwich ELISAs were used to determine whether rabbit mAbs bind sites inmesothelin that are different from the SS1P/MORAb-009 (Region I) site.In a first experiment, binding of YP187, YP223, YP218 and YP3 torecombinant mesothelin in the presence of SS1P was evaluated usingvarying concentrations of each mAb clone. ELISA plates were coated withthe SS1P immunotoxin (1 μg/ml). Recombinant mesothelin protein (1 μg/ml)was added to the plates. After washing, rabbit mAb supernatant (seriallydiluted 1:3) was added and goat anti-rabbit IgG light chain HRPconjugate (1:5000) was used to detect rabbit mAb binding. The resultsdemonstrate that YP187, YP223, YP218 and YP3 all recognize sitesdifferent from the SS1P site (FIG. 4).

In a second experiment, binding of YP187, YP223, YP218 and YP3 torecombinant mesothelin in the presence of SS1P was evaluated usingvarying concentrations of recombinant mesothelin. The SS1P immunotoxin(5 μg/ml) was coated on ELISA plates. Recombinant mesothelin protein(starting from 10 μg/ml) was serially diluted 1:3 and added to the ELISAplates. After washing, rabbit mAb supernatant (1:5) was added and goatanti-rabbit IgG light chain (1:5000) HRP conjugate was used to detectrabbit mAb binding. As shown in FIG. 5, YP187, YP223, YP218 and YP3recognize sites different from the SS1P site. Excluding YP187, all otherrabbit mAbs (YP223, YP218 and YP3) bind mesothelin in a dose-dependentmanner. The YP187 mAb partially competes with SS1P for mesothelin,indicating that the YP187 site (in Region II) may be close to the SS1Psite in Region I.

These results demonstrate that the YP223 (Region II), YP218 (Region III)and YP3 (conformation sensitive) rabbit mAbs do not bind an epitopeoverlapping the MORAb-009/SS1P site (Region I). The YP187 (Region II)mAb partially competes with SS1P for mesothelin, indicating that theYP187 site may be close to the SS1P site in Region I.

Binding Affinity of Rabbit mAb Clones

Binding affinity of YP223, YP218 and YP3 for mesothelin was evaluated byELISA. Various amounts of a rabbit mAb were incubated with a fixedamount of mesothelin (1 μg/ml) at room temperature for 1 hour, afterwhich the plates were washed and a standard ELISA procedure was followedto measure rabbit mAb binding on mesothelin. The affinity Kd value wasdetermined by Prism (version 3.02) for Windows (GraphPad software, SanDiego, Calif.). As shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, all rabbit mAbs have high,subnanomolar affinity for mesothelin. In particular, the K_(D) valueswere 0.65 nM for YP223, 0.91 nM for YP218 and 0.42 nM for YP3.

Next, a study was performed to evaluate detection of soluble mesothelinproteins in culture supernatant using the rabbit mAb clones. The H9 andK5 cell lines are widely used in xenograft models to evaluatemesothelin-targeted cancer therapy in mice. The K5 cell line expresses aform of mesothelin having a 10-amino acid deletion (residues 411-420) inRegion II, while the H9 cell line expresses full-length, wild typemesothelin.

ELISA plates were coated with SS1P (5 μg/ml). H9 or K5 culturesupernatant (serially diluted 1:3) was added. After washing, rabbit mAbculture supernatant (1:5) was added. Goat anti-rabbit lightchain-specific HRP conjugate (1:5000) was used to detect rabbit mAbbinding (FIGS. 7A-7B).

The Region II, Region III, and conformation sensitive mAbs bound wildtype mesothelin in the H9 cell line. However, both Region II (YP223) andRegion III (YP218) mAbs, but not the conformation sensitive (YP3) mAb,weakly bound the mutant mesothelin with a 10-amino acid deletionexpressed by the K5 cell line, indicating YP3 recognizes a nativeconformation specific to the conformation of wild type mesothelin.

Detection of Soluble Mesothelin by Sandwich ELISA

Nunc MaxiSorp 96-well flat-bottomed plates were coated overnight with 5μg/ml of YP223 (Region II binder) in PBS. Purified mesothelin-Fc fusionprotein was diluted at different concentrations (from 0.25 to 8 nM) inELISA buffer (0.01% Tween 20, 10% Pierce SuperBlock) and incubated on aplate for 1 hour at room temperature. For SS1P competition assay, 5μg/mL SS1P was pre-incubated with mesothelin-Fc fusion protein for 1hour at room temperature and then the mixtures (SS1P and mesothelin)were added into the plate. To detect soluble mesothelin, plates werethen incubated with 5 μg/mL biotinylated YP218 (Region III binder) for 1hour at room temperature; subsequently a 1:2000 dilution ofStreptavidin—HRP (Invitrogen) was added to the plate for 1 hour at roomtemperature. The plates were washed four times between each coating.Visualization was achieved with 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine detectionreagent (KPL) and absorbance was read at 450 nm with SpectraMax Plusplate reader (Molecular Devices). The results are shown in FIG. 10.

These results demonstrate the establishment of a new sandwich ELISAmethod using the YP223 and YP218 rabbit antibodies to measure solublemesothelin protein in the presence of the SS1P immunotoxin. The presenceof SS1P does not affect the binding of YP223 or YP218 to mesothelin. Thenew sandwich ELISA assay is highly sensitive because (1) its EC₅₀ isaround 0.5 nM and (2) it can detect 0.2 nM of soluble mesothelinprotein.

Example 2: High-Affinity Rabbit mAB Specific for Region I Mesothelin

This example describes the identification and characterization of arabbit mAb clone that binds Region I of native mesothelin in cancercells and tissues with high affinity and specificity.

As described in Example 1, 223 rabbit mAb clones were identified thatbound mesothelin Region I (residues 296-390). Among the high-affinitybinders in this group, YP158 was identified. YP158 is highly specificfor mesothelin in cancer cells and tissues.

To evaluate binding of YP158 to human cancer cells, immunoblot analysisusing a panel of liver cancer cell lines and cancer specimens wascarried out. As shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, YP158 is capable of detectingnative mesothelin in cancer cells. The capacity of YP158 to detectnative mesothelin in immunoprecipitated complexes was next evaluated. Inthis experiment, immunoprecipitation of endogenous mesothelin protein inA431/H9 (forced expression of mesothelin in epidermoid carcinoma A431cell line), NCI-H226 (mesothelioma) and KMBC (cholangiocarcinoma) cellextracts was carried out. A human mAb to mesothelin was used toimmunoprecipitate endogenous mesothelin protein in the cell lysate.YP158 was used to probe native mesothelin in the immunoprecipitatedproteins (FIG. 9).

These results demonstrate that YP158 binds native mesothelin protein incancer cells and tissues with very high affinity and specificity.

Example 3: Generation and Characterization of CD22-Specific Immunotoxins

Recombinant immunotoxins were generated using YP3, YP218, YP223 andYP187 scFv fused to Pseudomonas exotoxin fragment PE38 (SEQ ID NO: 2),following standard techniques. Briefly, in each immunotoxin construct,the antibody VH domain was fused to the VL domain using a linkersequence encoding the peptide (Gly₄Ser)₃ (amino acid residues 125-139 ofSEQ ID NO: 31). The antibody VL domain was fused to PE38 using a shortlinker sequence (ASGG; amino acid residues 251-254 of SEQ ID NO: 31).The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the YP218scFv-PE38, humanizedYP213scFv-PE38, YP223scFv-PE38, YP3scFv-PE38 and YP187scFv-PE38immunotoxins are set forth herein as SEQ ID NOs: 30-39.

Binding affinity of the YP3scFv-PE38, YP218scFv-PE38 and YP223scFv-PE38immunotoxins for a panel of tumor cells expressing mesothelin wasevaluated by flow cytometry. Cytotoxicity of the YP3scFv-PE38,YP218scFv-PE38 and YP223scFv-PE38 immunotoxins was also evaluated on themesothelin-expressing tumor cells. Mesothelin-specific immunotoxin SS1Pwas used as a positive control and the HB21-PE40 immunotoxin (specificfor human transferrin receptor) was used as a negative control. Theresults are summarized in Table 6 below. All three immunotoxins boundthe mesothelin-positive cell lines with varying affinities, withYP218scFv-PE38 exhibiting the greatest affinity. YP218scFv-PE38 alsoinduced the greatest cytotoxicity of mesothelin-expressing tumor cells.

TABLE 6 Summary of cytotoxicity and affinity of anti-mesothelinimmunotoxins on mesothelin-expressing cells YP3ScFv- YP218ScFv-YP223ScFv- HB21- Cell line control SS1P PE38 PE38 PE38 PE40 H9 IC50 (ngml⁻¹) >1000 0.076 1.19 0.88 44.34 Kd (nM) 4.82 3.74 6.56 46.18 OVCAR8IC50 (ng ml⁻¹) >1000 1.82 2.47 3.57 17.92 Kd (nM) 0.60 1.39 1.74 9.93NCI-ADR-RES IC50 (ng ml⁻¹) >1000 1.20 2.27 3.28 177.12 0.12 Kd (nM) 1.413.33 3.25 ≧22.86 10.82 NCI-H226 IC50 (ng ml⁻¹) >1000 5.29 10.11 1.5833.73 Kd (nM) 1.49 5.82 ≧3.216 ≧52.52 L55 IC50 (ng ml⁻¹) >1000 5.8921.89 15.81 345.53 0.57 Kd (nM) 1.04 2.62 2.37 10.05 9.74 EKVX IC50 (ngml⁻¹) >500 55.38 24.86 75.54 >300 0.21 Kd (nM) 1.7 1.20 1.16 >157 6.28NCI-H322M IC50 (ng ml⁻¹) >300 4.02 3.42 12.73 >1000 0.31 Kd (nM) 0.441.04 2.02 8.65 6.05 KMBC IC50 (ng ml⁻¹) >1000 3.39 14.11 11.91 151.56 Kd(nM) 2.15 0.42 1.40 6.41 KMCH IC50 (ng ml⁻¹) >1000 7.23 14.87 39.86215.01 Kd (nM) 1.26 0.68 1.72 7.58 Mz-Cha-1 IC50 (ng ml⁻¹) >100021.57 >1000 >1000 >1000 Kd (nM) 1.30 4.60 3.99 29.50 M30 IC50 (ngml⁻¹) >1000 7.13 16.01 18.74 >1000 0.51 Kd (nM) 0.49 1.67 1.98 12.13 13YOU IC50 (ng ml⁻¹) >1000 13.00 21.67 39.80 231.42 0.27 Kd (nM) 1.48 3.76.80 27.68 24.7 A431* IC50 (ng ml⁻¹) >100 >300 >300 >300 >300 H226-GLIC50 (ng ml⁻¹) >1000 1.99 1.73 0.74 51.39 0.22 *mesothelin negative

In addition, binding affinity of YP3scFv-PE38, YP187scFv-PE38,YP218scFv-PE38, its humanized version hYP218scFv-PE38, andYP223scFv-PE38 for H9 cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. The resultsare shown in FIG. 11 and summarized below in Table 7. Humanization ofthe YP218scFv-PE38 immunotoxin did not significantly alter its bindingaffinity for mesothelin-positive H9 cells.

TABLE 7 Binding affinity of immunotoxins for H9 cells Immunotoxin Kd(nM) SS1P 1.3 YP3ScFv-PE38 2.352 YP218ScFv-PE38 3.865 YP223ScFv-PE3825.21 YP187ScFv-PE38 >158 hYP218ScFv-PE38 3.607

Next, cytotoxicity of YP218scFv-PE38 against four malignant mesotheliomapatient primary cell lines was compared with cytotoxicity of the SS1Pimmunotoxin. Of the four primary cell lines (RH16, RH18, RH19 and RH21),three were sensitive to the anti-mesothelin immunotoxins. Of the threeprimary lines that were sensitive (RH16, RH19 and RH21), YP218scFv-PE38was 2- to 5-fold more potent than SS1P (see FIG. 12 and Table 8).

TABLE 8 Cytotoxicity of YP218scFv-PE38 against four mesothelioma patientprimary cell lines Malignant Mesothelioma SS1P YP218scFv-PE38 PatientCells IC₅₀ (ng/ml) IC₅₀ (ng/ml) RH16 10.4 2.0 RH18 >100 >100 RH19 0.630.33 RH21 0.73 0.23

The YP218scFv-PE38 was further evaluated in the NCI-H226 humanmesothelioma model in nude mice. Six-week female BALB/c nu/nu mice wereintraperitoneally inoculated with 3×10⁶ NCI-H226 mesothelioma cells thatstably express high levels of Luc/GFP. Mice were intraperitoneallyadministered with SS1P (0.4 mg/kg), YP218scFv-PE38 (0.4 mg/kg) orvehicle (PBS) at days 12, 14, 16 and 18. Both SS1P and YP218-PE38immunotoxins inhibited tumor growth effectively during the treatment.However, remnant mesothelioma tumor cells caused relapse quickly afterthe SS1P treatment was finished, while the relapse of mesothelioma inthe YP218scFv-PE38 group was significantly slower (FIG. 13). Two out offive mice in the YP218scFv-PE38 group were almost tumor free while allthe mice in the SS1P group had tumors on Day 25 and Day 27.

Example 4: Mesothelin-Specific Monoclonal Antibodies for DetectingCancer in a Subject or Confirming the Diagnosis of Cancer in a Subject

This example describes the use of mesothelin-specific monoclonalantibodies, such as the rabbit monoclonal antibodies disclosed herein orhumanized or labeled versions of these antibodies, for the detection ofcancer in a subject. This example further describes the use of theseantibodies to confirm the diagnosis of cancer in a subject.

A blood sample is obtained from the patient diagnosed with, or suspectedof having a mesothelin-positive cancer (i.e., a cancer thatoverexpresses mesothelin, such as mesothelioma, prostate cancer, lungcancer, stomach cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer,cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer or ovarian cancer). A blood sampletaken from a patient that does not have cancer can be used as a control.An ELISA is performed to detect the presence of soluble mesothelin inthe blood sample. Proteins present in the blood samples (the patientsample and control sample) are immobilized on a solid support, such as a96-well plate, according to methods well known in the art (see, forexample, Robinson et al., Lancet 362:1612-1616, 2003). Followingimmobilization, mesothelin-specific monoclonal antibody directly labeledwith a fluorescent marker is applied to the protein-immobilized plate.The plate is washed in an appropriate buffer, such as PBS, to remove anyunbound antibody and to minimize non-specific binding of antibody.Fluorescence can be detected using a fluorometric plate reader accordingto standard methods. An increase in fluorescence intensity of thepatient sample, relative to the control sample, indicates theanti-mesothelin antibody specifically bound proteins from the bloodsample, thus detecting the presence of mesothelin protein in the sample.Detection of mesothelin protein in the patient sample indicates thepatient has a mesothelin-positive cancer, or confirms diagnosis ofcancer in the subject.

Example 5: Mesothelin-Specific Monoclonal Antibodies for the Treatmentof Cancer

This example describes the use of mesothelin-specific monoclonalantibodies, such as the rabbit monoclonal antibodies disclosed herein orhumanized versions of these antibodies, for the treatment of cancersthat exhibit overexpression of mesothelin (referred to herein as a“mesothelin-positive” cancer), including, but not limited tomesothelioma, prostate cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, squamouscell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer orovarian cancer. Patients diagnosed with a mesothelin-positive cancer canbe treated according to standard procedures in the art (see, forexample, Hassan et al., Proc. Am. Soc. Clin. Oncol. 21:29a, 2002;Kreiman et al., Proc. Am. Soc. Clinl Oncol. 21:22b, 2002).

In this example, patients diagnosed with a mesothelin-positive cancerare administered an immunoconjugate comprising a mesothelin-specificmonoclonal antibody linked to Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE). Preparation ofPE immunoconjugates has been described (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No.7,081,518 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0214304). Insome patients, the immunoconjugate is administered by intravenous bolusinjection every other day for a total of three to six doses. In otherpatients, the immunoconjugate is administered by continuous intravenousinfusion over the course of ten days. The dose of immunoconjugateadministered to a patient varies depending on the weight and gender ofthe patient, and mode and time course of administration. Followingtreatment, patients are evaluated for cancer progression (includingtumor growth and metastasis) and other clinical signs of illness.

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of thedisclosed invention may be applied, it should be recognized that theillustrated embodiments are only preferred examples of the invention andshould not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, thescope of the invention is defined by the following claims. We thereforeclaim as our invention all that comes within the scope and spirit ofthese claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An isolated monoclonal antibody that bindsmesothelin, wherein: (i) the variable heavy (VH) domain of the antibodycomprises a complementarity determining region (CDR) 1, a CDR2 and aCDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 13; and the variable light (VL) domain of theantibody comprises a CDR1, a CDR2 and a CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 15; (ii)the VH domain of the antibody comprises a CDR1, a CDR2 and a CDR3 fromSEQ ID NO: 9; and the VL domain of the antibody comprises a CDR1, a CDR2and a CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 11; (iii) the VH domain of the antibodycomprises a CDR1, a CDR2 and a CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 17; and the VLdomain of the antibody comprises a CDR1, a CDR2 and a CDR3 from SEQ IDNO: 19; (iv) the VH domain of the antibody comprises a CDR1, a CDR2 anda CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 21, or comprises a CDR1, a CDR2 and a CDR3 fromSEQ ID NO: 29; and the VL domain of the antibody comprises a CDR1, aCDR2 and a CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 23; or (v) the VH domain of the antibodycomprises a CDR1, a CDR2 and a CDR3 from SEQ ID NO: 25; and the VLdomain of the antibody comprises a CDR1, a CDR2 and a CDR3 from SEQ IDNO:
 27. 2. The isolated monoclonal antibody of claim 1, wherein: (i) theVH domain of the antibody comprises a CDR1 set forth as amino acidresidues 31-36 of SEQ ID NO: 13, a CDR2 set forth as amino acid residues51-68 of SEQ ID NO: 13 and a CDR3 set forth as amino acid residues100-112 of SEQ ID NO: 13; and the VL domain of the antibody comprises aCDR1 set forth as amino acid residues 24-34 of SEQ ID NO: 15, a CDR2 setforth as amino acid residues 50-56 of SEQ ID NO: 15 and a CDR3 set forthas amino acid residues 89-101 of SEQ ID NO: 15; (ii) the VH domain ofthe antibody comprises a CDR1 set forth as amino acid residues 31-36 ofSEQ ID NO: 9, a CDR2 set forth as amino acid residues 51-67 of SEQ IDNO: 9 and a CDR3 set forth as amino acid residues 100-111 of SEQ ID NO:9; and the VL domain of the antibody comprises a CDR1 set forth as aminoacid residues 24-34 of SEQ ID NO: 11, a CDR2 set forth as amino acidresidues 50-56 of SEQ ID NO: 11 and a CDR3 set forth as amino acidresidues 89-100 of SEQ ID NO: 11; (iii) the VH domain of the antibodycomprises a CDR1 set forth as amino acid residues 31-35 of SEQ ID NO:17, a CDR2 set forth as amino acid residues 50-67 of SEQ ID NO: 17 and aCDR3 set forth as amino acid residues 99-108 of SEQ ID NO: 17; and theVL domain of the antibody comprises a CDR1 set forth as amino acidresidues 24-34 of SEQ ID NO: 19, a CDR2 set forth as amino acid residues50-56 of SEQ ID NO: 19 and a CDR3 set forth as amino acid residues89-100 of SEQ ID NO: 19; (iv) the VH domain of the antibody comprises aCDR1 set forth as amino acid residues 31-35 of SEQ ID NO: 21, a CDR2 setforth as amino acid residues 50-66 of SEQ ID NO: 21 and a CDR3 set forthas amino acid residues 98-113 of SEQ ID NO: 21, or comprises a CDR1 setforth as amino acid residues 31-36 of SEQ ID NO: 29, a CDR2 set forth asamino acid residues 51-68 of SEQ ID NO: 29 and a CDR3 set forth as aminoacid residues 100-112 of SEQ ID NO: 29; and the VL domain of theantibody comprises a CDR1 set forth as amino acid residues 24-34 of SEQID NO: 23, a CDR2 set forth as amino acid residues 50-56 of SEQ ID NO:23 and a CDR3 set forth as amino acid residues 89-100 of SEQ ID NO: 23;or (v) the VH domain of the antibody comprises a CDR1 set forth as aminoacid residues 30-35 of SEQ ID NO: 25, a CDR2 set forth as amino acidresidues 50-67 of SEQ ID NO: 25 and a CDR3 set forth as amino acidresidues 99-109 of SEQ ID NO: 25; and the VL domain of the antibodycomprises a CDR1 set forth as amino acid residues 24-34 of SEQ ID NO:27, a CDR2 set forth as amino acid residues 50-56 of SEQ ID NO: 27 and aCDR3 set forth as amino acid residues 89 102 of SEQ ID NO:
 27. 3. Theisolated monoclonal antibody of claim 1, wherein: (i) the amino acidsequence of the VH domain is at least 90% or at least 95% identical toSEQ ID NO: 13; and the amino acid sequence of the VL domain is at least90% or at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 15; (ii) the amino acidsequence of the VH domain is at least 90% or at least 95% identical toSEQ ID NO: 9; and the amino acid sequence of the VL domain is at least90% or at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 11; (iii) the amino acidsequence of the VH domain is at least 90% or at least 95% identical toSEQ ID NO: 17; and the amino acid sequence of the VL domain is at least90% or at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 19; (iv) the amino acidsequence of the VH domain is at least 90% or at least 95% identical toSEQ ID NO: 21 or SEQ ID NO: 29; and the amino acid sequence of the VLdomain is at least 90% or at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 23; or(v) the amino acid sequence of the VH domain is at least 90% or at least95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 25; and the amino acid sequence of the VLdomain is at least 90% or at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:
 27. 4.The isolated monoclonal antibody of claim 1, wherein: (i) the VH domainof the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 13 and the VL domain of theantibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 15; (ii) the VH domain of the antibodycomprises SEQ ID NO: 9 and the VL domain of the antibody comprises SEQID NO: 11; (iii) the VH domain of the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 17and the VL domain of the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 19; (iv) the VHdomain of the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 21 or SEQ ID NO: 29 and theVL domain of the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 23; or (v) the VH domainof the antibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 25 and the VL domain of theantibody comprises SEQ ID NO:
 27. 5. The isolated monoclonal antibody ofclaim 1, wherein the antibody is a Fab fragment, a Fab′ fragment, aF(ab)′₂ fragment, a single chain variable fragment (scFv), or adisulfide stabilized variable fragment (dsFv).
 6. The isolatedmonoclonal antibody of claim 1, wherein the antibody is an IgG.
 7. Theisolated monoclonal antibody of claim 1, wherein the antibody ischimeric, synthetic, or humanized.
 8. The isolated monoclonal antibodyof claim 1, wherein the antibody further comprises a label.
 9. Theisolated monoclonal antibody of claim 8, wherein the label is afluorescent, enzymatic, or radioactive label.
 10. An isolatedimmunoconjugate comprising the monoclonal antibody of claim 1 and aneffector molecule.
 11. The isolated immunoconjugate of claim 10, whereinthe effector molecule is a toxin.
 12. The isolated immunoconjugate ofclaim 11, wherein the toxin is Pseudomonas exotoxin or a variantthereof.
 13. The isolated immunoconjugate of claim 12, wherein thePseudomonas exotoxin or a variant thereof comprises the amino acidsequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-6.
 14. The isolated immunoconjugateof claim 10, comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 31, SEQ IDNO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 35, SEQ ID NO: 37 or SEQ ID NO:
 39. 15. A compositioncomprising a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody of claim 1in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 16. A method of detectingmesothelin in a sample, comprising: contacting the sample with themonoclonal antibody of claim 1; detecting binding of the monoclonalantibody to the sample; and detecting mesothelin in the sample if anincrease in binding of the monoclonal antibody to the sample isdetected, as compared to binding of the monoclonal antibody to a controlsample.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the sample comprises amesothelioma, prostate cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, squamouscell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer orovarian cancer tumor biopsy.
 18. An isolated nucleic acid moleculeencoding the monoclonal antibody of claim
 1. 19. The isolated nucleicacid molecule of claim 18, wherein: (i) the nucleotide sequence encodingthe VH domain of the monoclonal antibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ IDNO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 28 or SEQ ID NO: 24;(ii) the nucleotide sequence encoding the VL domain of the monoclonalantibody comprises SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ IDNO: 22 or SEQ ID NO: 26; or (iii) both (i) and (ii).
 20. An isolatednucleic acid molecule encoding the immunoconjugate of claim 14, whereinthe nucleotide sequence encoding the immunoconjugate comprises SEQ IDNO: 30, SEQ ID NO: 32, SEQ ID NO: 34, SEQ ID NO: 36 or SEQ ID NO: 38.21. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 18, operably linked to apromoter.
 22. An expression vector comprising the isolated nucleic acidmolecule of claim
 18. 23. An isolated host cell transformed with theexpression vector of claim
 22. 24. An isolated immunoconjugatecomprising the monoclonal antibody of claim 1 and a therapeutic agent.25. The isolated immunoconjugate of claim 24, wherein the therapeuticagent comprises a drug.
 26. A chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) comprisingthe monoclonal antibody of claim
 1. 27. The CAR of claim 26, wherein themonoclonal antibody is a scFv.
 28. A bispecific antibody comprising themonoclonal antibody of claim 1.